The first production Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter for the Turkish Air Force (TAF) has made its maiden flight, marking a key milestone towards its delivery. The aircraft, known as MSN9, took off from Seville, Spain, at 13:56 local time  on 9 August and landed back in Seville 5 hours and 30 minutes later. The A400M programme for the TAF is also making good progress at the Airbus Military International Training Centre at Seville, where TAF pilots, loadmasters, and maintenance technicians have already begun their training. 

In line with the requirements of the Turkish Air Force, Turkey will purchase ten A-400Ms. The first aircraft will enter the Turkish Air Forces’ inventory  in the end of the October 2013. The remaining aircrafts are expected to enter the inventory in parties until 2018.