With the groundbreaking ceremony, Airbus Defense and Space (ADS) has begun construction of a maintenance center for the Bundeswehr's A400M transport aircraft. ADS CEO Michael Schöllhorn invited top representatives from politics, the BMVg, the Bundeswehr and the BAAINBw to the ceremony on the grounds of the Wunstorf Air Base. Ten years after the start of operational flight operations with the A400M, the new Airbus A400M maintenance center is an important step forward, said Schöllhorn. “The new maintenance center will sustainably strengthen the successful cooperation between industry and the Air Force,” continued Schöllhorn.
The A400M maintenance center is being built right next to the air base of Air Transport Squadron 62 (LTG 62) in Wunstorf, writes Airbus in a press release. The cost of the center was estimated to be in the low three-digit million range. 300 new jobs are to be created in the A400M maintenance center in Wunstorf. According to current planning, depending on the progress of construction, the increase in personnel - mainly with aviation technical staff - should begin from 2025.
Aktuell seien zirka 20 Mitarbeiter der Baufirmen vor Ort, in Spitzenzeiten des Hochbaus können über 500 Mitarbeiter dort tätig sein. Die Fertigstellung des A400M Wartungszentrums sei für Ende 2026 geplant. Die endgültige Inbetriebnahme ist nach Zulassung durch das Luftfahrtamt der Bundeswehr für Mitte 2027 vorgesehen.
The Bundeswehr currently has 42 A400M (ESuT) transport aircraftreported). All 53 machines ordered are expected to be delivered by 2026. This means that the project has been delayed by more than 16 years compared to the planning in May 2003 and is around 1.6 billion euros more expensive. The Bundeswehr took delivery of the first A400M in 2014. After a rocky start, the A400Ms have proven themselves to be modern transport aircraft and have completed several spectacular missions.
The development is not yet complete. The BMVg writes in its 17th armaments report that the increase in capabilities is progressing steadily. From a capability perspective, the focus continues to be on the integration of the missile warning system intended for use in protected, tactical air transport. In the medium term, it can be assumed that the A400M will cover the required range of capabilities.
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