A400M in-service support contract supports 350 UK jobs
Published 01 October 2026
The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has extended its in-service support contract with Airbus for the RAF's A400M Atlas fleet sustaining more than 350 UK jobs.
The 31-month extension to the Medium-Term Contract, signed 1 October, will see Airbus continue to provide maintenance, repair and support services for the A400M fleet from its UK Support Centre at RAF Brize Norton. The contract extension is worth £190 million and retains more than 350 UK jobs, made up of over 240 Airbus staff and over 110 primary sub-contract staff.
The A400M Atlas is a cornerstone of the UK's air mobility capability, supporting operations ranging from humanitarian relief to NATO commitments and rapid troop deployment.
Continued national support at RAF Brize Norton ensures the fleet remains ready to meet these demands without interruption, forming part of the government's wider commitment to strengthening the UK's defence industrial base and value for money in defence contracts.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:
"This contract extension is a vote of confidence in British engineering skill, and the workforce at Brize Norton and Carterton who keep our A400M fleet flying.
“By boosting availability of these aircraft, we're strengthening the RAF's ability to conduct global operations and deliver on NATO commitments when it matters most, while backing UK jobs and delivering value for money for taxpayers.”
The A400M Atlas is a cornerstone of the UK's air mobility capability, supporting operations ranging from humanitarian relief to rapid troop deployment.
Alongside the financial savings, the extended contract is set to deliver a significant boost to operational capability, with plans to increase the number of fully mission-capable aircraft available each day from 10 to 13 by the end of 2027, a 30% improvement in availability for the RAF's tactical and strategic airlift fleet. This will support the RAF's ability to deliver global air mobility operations, including humanitarian relief, troop transport and NATO commitments.
Air Cdre Si Young, Head Air Mobility in National Armaments Materiel, said:
"Agreeing this extension with Airbus after just eight weeks of intense negotiations shows what can be achieved when MOD and industry work closely together towards a shared goal.
“This contract will deliver continued improvements in A400M fleet availability, building on the growth that we have delivered over recent years and giving our Armed Forces the capability they need while offering excellent value for money to taxpayers, supporting a platform that is at the heart of the RAF’s operations now and into the future.
“It reflects the strength of our partnership with Airbus and our shared commitment to supporting the continued growth and success of the A400M fleet, both now and in the years ahead."
Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK, added:
"Airbus is proud to be a trusted partner to the Ministry of Defence, and this contract extension reinforces that commitment. The A400M Atlas is the backbone of Air Mobility. Our highly skilled teams work side by side with Royal Air Force personnel and are fully focused on enhancing operational readiness, keeping the fleet mission-ready."
