Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.

Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

With delivery of the first A400M airlifters nearing, Airbus Military has concluded an initial support deal with the French air force and a long-term training contract with the UK Royal Air Force (RAF). Meanwhile, Airbus Military is equipping its international training center in Seville with A400M computer-based trainers and a full-motion simulator. The first production aircraft (MSN7, for the French air force) made its first flight on March 7. 


The initial in-service support (ISS) contract with the French air force runs for the first 18 months and includes support by Airbus Military at Orleans airbase, spares management and an “extended query answering service.” The French are due to receive the first of their 25 A400Ms in the second quarter and a further two by the end of the year. The British and French air arms are considering a cross-Channel approach to long-term support. Airbus Military has responded with a proposal, which it describes as “innovative,” and says that the second quarter may also see this pact concluded. Other MRO providers are also bidding for this work.


Airbus Military and Thales announced this week that they had signed an 18-year contract to provide training services for the RAF. They have formed a joint venture named A400M Training Services for the purpose. It will design, construct and manage a training school at RAF Brize Norton, as well as install and maintain full-flight simulators at the Thales training and simulation facility in Crawley, near Gatwick Airport. The joint venture will also provide other synthetic training equipment and support the RAF’s own course design team and training staff. The British, French and German air forces are sending their A400M instructor pilots and initial ground crew to Seville for training this year. Smaller air forces might decide to do all their pilot training in the Spanish facility, an Airbus Military spokesman told AIN. In addition to the simulator and computer-based trainers, Airbus Military has also installed a full-size replica of the A400M’s cargo hold for training loadmasters.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Airbus Military Concludes Support and Training Deals As A400M Deliveries Near

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Endurance up to 18 hours makes the Bombardier jet an ideal ISR platform

First Global 6500 Delivered for U.S. Army HADES Program

Kerry Lynch

Long-range business jet has accumulated 65 city-pair records

Gulfstream G700 Heads to MEBAA Show with Cert in Hand

Charles Alcock

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Twin pusherprop aircraft is being used to train military pilots

Piaggio Delivers Three More Avantis to Italy‘s Air Force

It pays to have a professional on your side

Flying Privately: Buying an Aircraft with a Broker

Joseph Carfagna Jr.

Certainty benefits the preowned business aircraft market

AINsight: Election Results and the Fence

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

Speed Records Abound for Bombardier's Global 7500

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 8000 Come to Life

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

More In Aircraft