Airbus Military has delivered the first aircraft from a follow-on CN-235 sale to the French air force, with the medium transport undergoing acceptance tests with the nation's DGA procurement agency.

Once introduced to active service, the aircraft will join a French air force fleet which already totals 19 CN-235s, used for tasks including logistics and personnel transport.

"The last of the remaining seven aircraft ordered will be delivered by the end of 2012," Airbus Military said.

 French CN-235 - Airbus Military

© Airbus Military

The company completes the General Electric CT7-9C3-engined type at its San Pablo site near Seville, Spain, where the French air force's first of an eventual 50 A400Ms also recently entered final assembly.

Paris ordered its new batch of CN-235s in April 2010 for €225 million ($302 million). The acquisition is intended to partially cover an approximate three-year production delay to the A400M programme.

Source: Flight International