French force projection “goes the distance” with Airbus A400Ms and A330 MRTTs

The rapid transfer of French military forces over long distances - and the ability to arrive ready for immediate, high-intensity operations - was demonstrated by a mission from France to the South Pacific, with airlift and aerial refuelling support from Airbus-built A400M and A330 MRTT aircraft.

Two A400M airlifters and two A330 Multi Role Tanker Transports from the French Air and Space Force's inventory were involved in the June-July mission, which validated the country's ability to protect its citizens and the farthest territories. This showed how a French force projection could reach Polynesia in less than 48 hours, with sustained air operations performed on arrival.

As part of the mission, the A330 MRTTs supported French front-line combat aircraft with seven en-route air-to-air refuellings, while the A400Ms carried approximately 30 tonnes of equipment and cargo.

Airbus' Services teams based in France at the air bases of Orléans (home to the A400Ms) and Istres (for A330 MRTTs) were involved throughout the deployment. 'We provided end-to-end support to these operations,' underlined François Winterhalter, the Airbus Head of Services Centres France. This covered the scope from on-aircraft and management systems maintenance to spares provision, quality control and post-flight analysis.