The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has for the first time revealed its interest in acquiring an additional batch of Airbus Defence & Space A400M Atlas tactical transports, as the Royal Air Force (RAF) draws close to completing its 22-strong fleet of on-order examples.
London’s expression of interest in a potential follow-on procurement was briefly included within the MoD’s Defence Equipment Plan 2021-2031 publication, released on 21 February.
No details about the number of transport aircraft to be sought or the possible timing of an order have been disclosed.
The UK had 25 A400Ms on order at the time of the programme’s formal launch in 2003, but its offtake was reduced to 22 as part of an emergency contract revision subsequently agreed between Airbus and its European launch customers.
Twenty Atlas airlifters have so far been delivered to the RAF, with its remaining two examples due to be delivered this year. The service is facing a looming major reduction in its tactical transport capabilities, due to the early retirement of its remaining Lockheed C-130J Hercules, the last of which are due to depart in 2023.
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