Paris, June 18, 2025 – The governments of France and Spain have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent with Airbus to strengthen their long-term cooperation on the A400M tactical airlifter programme, securing the future of this critical European capability through enhanced support, training, and maintenance frameworks.
The agreement was formalised during the 2025 Paris Air Show by the French and Spanish Defence Ministries alongside Airbus Defence and Space.
“This declaration ensures operational availability and reinforces the strategic value of the A400M for European defence,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus.
What the Declaration Covers
- A common roadmap to harmonise logistics and MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) efforts
- Deeper industrial cooperation between Airbus, France, and Spain
- Acceleration of digitalisation and predictive maintenance capabilities
- Commitment to optimise fleet readiness for both nations’ air forces
This agreement paves the way for a more standardised and cost-effective approach to A400M support across user nations, and supports the broader goal of European defence sovereignty.
France and Spain are two of the largest A400M operators, with missions ranging from strategic airlift to tactical troop transport, medical evacuation, and aerial refuelling.
