The aircraft is part of a cooperation agreement between the Luxembourgish and Belgian armed forces. Luxembourg's Minister of Defence François Bausch travelled to Belgium and was shown around the Melsbreuk Airbase near Brussels.
Six Luxembourgish soldiers are stationed at the airbase. Two so-called loadmasters, who are responsible for the cargo and passengers on board of the plane, and four pilots for the A400M.
Ben Kauffmann is one of those pilots. So far, he has only done 100 flight hours on this type of plane, as the entire A400 fleet is still in a test and training phase. According to lieutenant-colonel Georges Campill, the plane and crew members are expected to enter active service in around three months. From that point onwards, they will be able to go on their first missions.
However, the aircraft is not intended to be used exclusively for military purposes. The plane can also be used for civil purposes, for instance after natural disasters or to bring material to specific locations, Bausch explained.
In addition to the four Luxembourgish pilots who are already in Belgium, a fifth one has almost completed their training while two other people are still attending pilot school. The Grand Duchy intends to recruit additional pilots in the future.
Click here for pictures of the Minister's visit to Melsbreuk Airbase
