Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Airbus and OCCAR sign new A400M Global Support contract

Defence

Airbus and OCCAR sign new A400M Global Support contract

Airbus has signed the new A400M Global Support Step 2 contract with OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation), which manages the multinational programme on behalf of the Launch Customer Nations Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, Belgium and Luxembourg.


Copyright Airbus

This is the first support contract for all A400M participating states and it replaces the Global Support agreement Step 1 signed in 2016, which provided support services for France, Spain and the UK.

The contract will bring the benefits of a fully integrated suite of common services using shared resources and assets. It provides a full range of tailored services to meet the needs of the A400M customers, from ground support to airworthiness and from maintenance to material
support.

Advertisement
ODU RT

This performance-based contract creates a new partnership framework, based on pooling and sharing, where industry and operators have the opportunity to explore new areas of collaboration, concepts and services. The modular structure of the services allows for the tailoring of solutions as per specific operational requirements.

The pooling and sharing under Airbus management will allow the A400M customers to benefit from significant savings while keeping the same highest standard of services.

This new phase of the A400M Global Support contract provides a support services package to a wider number of nations operating the A400M until the end of 2023.
After France, UK and Spain, which were part of the first phase, now Turkey, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg have joined as well.

Alberto Gutiérrez, Head of Military Aircraft at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “With this services contract, we are working together with our customers on innovative solutions never performed before on a military programme. After the agreement with the launch customer nations on the programme’s contract amendment this is another clear signal that through mutual collaboration we are strengthening the future of the A400M.”

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle

Gary Palmer, OCCAR A400M Programme Manager, said: “The A400M Global Support contract covers more than 40 individual services working together, a complete pool of services from ground support to airworthiness, through to maintenance or material services. Under this collaborative model, the more nations that join the pool, the more efficient the services become from which customers can benefit.”

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB Babcock LB
Avon Protection receives European order for FM50 respirators

Defence Security

Avon Protection receives European order for FM50 respirators

11 December 2025

Avon Protection has received a new European order for FM50 respirators and FM61EU filters via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) contract vehicle.

BAE Systems to modernise USS Forrest Sherman

Defence

BAE Systems to modernise USS Forrest Sherman

10 December 2025

BAE Systems has received a $123 million contract from the US Navy to modernise the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).

Rheinmetall to provide Trailblazer on UK

Defence

Rheinmetall to provide Trailblazer on UK's MLRS A2

10 December 2025

Rheinmetall UK have been awarded a contract by the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA) to provide Trailblazer Driver Vision and Local Situation Awareness System to the UK Ministry of Defence’s M270 A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) platform upgrade.

Babcock recruits record number of graduates and apprentices

Defence

Babcock recruits record number of graduates and apprentices

10 December 2025

Babcock has opened applications for its 2026 apprentice intake as it unveils the recruitment of a record number of graduates and apprentices across its UK business.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle
UK joins defence exports treaty with European allies

Defence

UK joins defence exports treaty with European allies

10 December 2025

The UK has joined a European defence export treaty alongside its NATO allies, making it easier for British defence businesses to benefit from closer cooperation on exports with European allies France, Germany and Spain.

HMS Formidable keel laid

Defence

HMS Formidable keel laid

10 December 2025

Another significant moment on the Type 31 (T31) programme was delivered by Babcock yesterday at its Rosyth facility in Scotland, with the keel laid for HMS Formidable.

Advertisement
ODU RT