Indonesia has officially received its first Airbus A400M Atlas military transport aircraft at Halim Air Force Base in Jakarta, marking a major milestone in the country’s air mobility modernization program. The delivery is part of a 2021 procurement deal that includes training and maintenance support, with the second aircraft expected in 2026.
With this induction, Indonesia becomes the 10th global operator of the A400M and the second in Southeast Asia, following Malaysia, which already operates four of the advanced airlifters. The addition strengthens Indonesia’s airlift capacity for both military and humanitarian missions across its vast island territories.
The A400M Atlas offers a maximum payload capacity of 37 tonnes (81,571 pounds) and can operate from short and unpaved runways, making it ideal for Indonesia’s challenging geography. Configured for cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, and disaster relief operations, the aircraft can carry 30 tonnes of cargo over 2,400 nautical miles (4,445 kilometers)—enough to cover the entire Indonesian archipelago.
In addition to its primary transport role, the A400M can also function as an aerial refueling platform. According to Airbus, Indonesia is also exploring the integration of a roll-on/roll-off modular firefighting system, enabling the aircraft to act as a water bomber capable of dropping up to 20,000 liters of water or retardant, enhancing the nation’s disaster response and firefighting capabilities.
