Airbus Military signs additional contract with Kazakhstan for two more C295 aircraft

by BA Staff

Photo courtesy Airbus Military

Airbus Military has signed a contract with Kazspecexport, a State Company belonging to the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan, to supply two C295 military transport aircraft plus the related service support package for spare parts and ground support equipment.

This order is implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed in 2012 between the Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan and Airbus Military for the procurement of eight C295s in total and on the basis of which two C295s were already delivered in 2013.

The first two C295s are already in service with the Kazakhstan Air Forces and the third and fourth are planned for delivery in 2014 and 2015 respectively. With regards to the remaining four aircraft in the MoU, a delivery schedule will be defined over the coming years.

 Antonio Rodriguez Barberan, Head Of Commercial, Airbus Military said: 

“Airbus Military is very proud that the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense is placing a repeat order for the C295, confirming its confidence in the aircraft’s capabilities and cost-efficiency as well as in our company. We are proud of the relationship that has been created with Kazspecexport and the Ministry of Defence and congratulate the teams of both institutions on their professionalism in the process. We will keep striving to ensure that we live up to this mark of confidence and stand by our customer for many years to come."

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Airbus Military Services logistic hub starts operations

By BA Staff

The Airbus Military Services Logistic Hub has started operations in Seville, Spain, in line with the Full In-Service Support (FISS) model developed by the company. This hub delivers spare parts for all Airbus Military products worldwide as well as ground equipment for the operation of the fleet.

The new facility substantially strengthens the spare parts delivery procedure by improving reliability and cutting dispatch times. With the new Services Logistic Hub, 95% of customer’s requests for spare parts will be fulfilled within five days. For Aircraft-On-Ground (AOG) Service the dispatch time is reduced to a maximum of four hours. Delivery reliability has increased since the start of operations. The new set up will also mean a reduction in recurring operational costs of around €500,000 a year compared with traditional processes.

Philippe Galland, Head of Services, said

Putting in place this Services Logistic Hub will reduce our delivery lead-times and guarantee fleet availability. We will be more competitive thanks to the cost reduction and customer satisfaction will also improve

The Services Logistic Hub has been certified Part 145 by the Spanish agency for aviation safety AESA on behalf of its European counterpart EASA.

The FISS (Full In-Service Support) model is the integrated service model offered to all Airbus Military customers worldwide. It is based on years of experience providing support to customers around the world where and when they need it. The entry into service of the French Air Force’s first A400M at Orléans-Bricy air base is the latest example of FISS but it equally applies to the A330 MRTT, for example in the case of the Voyager at the Brize Norton base in the UK, and a growing number of C295 and CN235 operators. Today it covers around 90 aircraft of 11 customers, flying some 35,000 hours per year.

The new Services Logistic Hub employs 100 persons who manage about 22,500 different part numbers in its 8,300 square meters. Dispatch operations of the Airbus Military Services Logistic Hub are performed by Airbus lead logistic provider Kuehne&Nagel.

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High resolution photos of South African Airways A320, French Air Force A400M, Turkish Air Force A400M

Courtesy Airbus S.A.S. some high resolution photos for your enjoyment.

South African Airways takes delivery of its first two A320s 'classic'. Enjoy the livery.

The French Air Force (Armee De L'Air) took delivery of the first A400M transporter.

Not high resolution. The first flight of the first A400M destined for the Turkish Air Force.

All images are courtesy and copyright of Airbus and are used under fair use.

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First production Airbus A400M transporter makes its maiden flight

The first production Airbus Military A400M airlifter has made its maiden flight, marking a key milestone towards its delivery to the French Air Force. The aircraft, MSN7, took off from Seville, Spain, at 11:48 local time (10:48Z) and landed back in Seville 5 hours and 42 minutes later.

Experimental Test Pilot Hugues Van Der Stichel, captained the flight.

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Indian Air Force selects Airbus A330 MRTT as in-flight refuelling tanker

by Devesh Agarwal

Airbus Military has confirmed that it has been selected by the Government of India as the preferred bidder to supply its A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The decision follows a lengthy and thorough selection process including the completion of extensive flight demonstrations in India by the A330 MRTT during which the aircraft refuelled multiple types of IAF fighters and operated from the high-altitude IAF base at Leh.

Detailed negotiations will now begin which it is expected will lead to the award of a final production contract for an envisaged six aircraft in 2013.

The A330 MRTT is derived from the highly successful Airbus A330-200 commercial jetliner. It has a basic fuel capacity of 111 tonnes or 245,000 lb. The tanker is available with both the Boom refuelling system and/or under-wing hose and drogue pods.

The A330 MRTT can also be used as a pure transport aircraft able to carry 300 troops, or a payload of up to 45 tonnes. It can also easily be converted to accommodate up to 130 stretchers for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC). It is unlikely the Indian Air Force will use the A330 MRTT in these roles as it already has an order with Boeing for ten of its C-17 GlobeMaster III strategic transport aircraft, which are in production right now.

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