LANGKAWI: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) today officially received its fourth and final Airbus A400M transport aircraft at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (Lima 2017) today.
At a ceremony at the Langkawi International Airport, Airbus Defence and Space Head of Military Aircraft Fernando Alonso presented a plaque to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, as a symbol of the handover.
The A400M, dubbed a next-generation transport aircraft, is designated as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities as it can be adapted to perform long-range cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, aerial refuelling, and electronic surveillance missions.
Compared to the RMAF's existing Hercules C130H and CN235, the aircraft can carry twice the load over intercontinental distances at speeds comparable to a jet aircraft.
It can also land on short or unprepared airstrips close to the scene for military or humanitarian operations.
The delivery of the aircraft began on March 9, 2015, and the second and third aircraft were delivered on January and June last year.
Also present at the ceremony was RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Affandi Buang.