Airbus rolls out first A400M airlifter for Kazakhstan

The first A400M airlifter for the Kazakh Air Defence Forces has rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Seville, Spain, Airbus Defence and Space announced on 15 April 2024.

The aircraft, MSN 139, is one of two A400Ms ordered by Kazakhstan in September 2021 and will be delivered this year. Airbus is not disclosing the delivery schedule for the second aircraft.

Imagery of the aircraft posted by Airbus on X/Twitter shows the livery of the Kazakh A400M to be a gloss dark grey, while the Kazakh insignia takes the form of a red star outlined in yellow, with a yellow sun at its centre and the yellow outline of an eagle below that.

The Kazakh Air Defence Forces also operate eight Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft, while two C295s are in service with the Aviation Service of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee and an additional C295 is in service with the Kazakh Border Service. In January 2024 the Aviation Service of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee placed an order for a third C295.