The Republic of Kazakhstan has placed an order for two Airbus A400M aircraft plus associated maintenance and support with the first platform scheduled to be delivered in 2024.

Together with the agreement a Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed to collaborate on maintenance and overhaul services and with a first step of creating a local C295 maintenance centre. Kazakhstan will become the ninth operator of the A400M, after Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Malaysia and Luxembourg.

In a September 1 release, Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said: “This new export contract brings the total number of A400M orders to 176 aircraft, a figure that we expect to increase in the near future.”

The arrival of the A400M will add a significant airlift capability to Kazakhstan, with the aircraft able to operate from unprepared landing strips and carry up to 37t in payload. The type has an operational range of 4,800nm (8900km).

This deal marks the first A400M order from a new export customer in 16 years, with Malaysia having been the last nation to order the type in December 2005.