The Grand Duke was visibly impressed with the new military airplane.
The focus was on the European values the project represented. The binational project between Luxembourg and Belgium would substantially strengthen military transport capacities in Europe, said Thomas Lambert, the Belgian ambassador.
The A400M can carry up to 37 tons, depending on the length of its mission, and is also capable of landing in the dark on an unlit runway.
Video report in Luxembourgish:
The plane was due to perform an inaugural flyover over Luxembourg on Friday morning, before continuing to the military base in Melsbroek. It flew over Luxembourg City, Esch-sur-Alzette, the Moselle, Colmar-Berg, Diekirch and Clervaux.
It was scheduled to take off from Findel airport around 9am.
The welcoming ceremony for the new military transport aircraft A400M took place at Luxembourg airport on 8 October 2020 in the presence of HRH Grand-Duke Henri, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence François Bausch and the Army's new Chief of Staff, general Steve Thull.
His Excellency Thomas Lambert, the ambassador to Belgium in Luxembourg, and major-general Marc Thys, Deputy Chief of Defence, will represent their country for this binational project.
The A400M transport aircraft
On 13 June 2001, Luxembourg and Belgium signed a cooperation agreement for the shared acquisition and exploitation of the plane. The new transport capabilities can assist military and humanitarian operations.
The aircraft can transport 25 tons over 4,500 km or 17 tons over 5,800 km. Its maximum charge is 37 tons and it has room for 116 passengers.
Belgium will provide logistics support and training, maintenance and future modifications. Luxembourg will provide 3 flight teams and further support. An officer from the Luxembourg Army has been embedded in the Belgian Air Force since 2017 to assist with the project.
