Madrid’s first of a contracted 27 A400M tactical transports is on track for delivery to the Spanish air force by mid-2016, says Airbus Defence and Space.

The wings for lead example MSN44 were recently delivered to the manufacturer’s San Pablo final-assembly line in Seville using an A300-600ST Beluga transport. This transferred the composite structures from St Nazaire in France after they had first been transported by ship from the UK.

A400M wings - Airbus Defence & Space

Airbus Defence and Space

Spain's first completed A400M will be handed over in the second quarter of 2016, Airbus said. The nation will follow France, Germany, Malaysia, Turkey and the UK in fielding the four-engined Atlas, with deliveries of the type also yet to start for Belgium and Luxembourg.

Source: FlightGlobal.com