Inside the Airbus support for the French Air and Space Force's A400M
Orléans-Bricy Air Base 123 is a strategic site for French air defence. It is home to the French Air Force and Space Force's fleet of A400M Atlas aircraft. While the pilots' missions are the showcase for operations, the work of the Airbus support and training teams behind the scenes is indispensable. Working at the air base since 2013, these 130 people ensure the availability of the aircraft and prepare crews for the most complex missions: force projection anywhere in the world, parachute drops and equipment drops, operations in rough terrain, night flights with night vision goggles, and in-flight refuelling.
On 24 May 2025, Air Force General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force, and Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Airbus Air Power, inaugurated a new 3,000 m2 Airbus building in the facilities. It centralises the storage of parts needed for the maintenance of the A400M and dedicated Airbus personnel.
Maintenance: a challenge for flight safety
“Every day, Airbus teams carry out an essential mission: working closely with customers to help them maintain the maximum operational level of the French Air Force and Space Force's fleet of 24 A400M Atlas aircraft,” explains Jean-Brice Dumont.
Their responsibilities cover a wide range of activities: parts logistics, coordination with various centres of expertise located mainly in Spain, technical support for military personnel at the air base and at external sites, and airworthiness management support - the regulations that allow an aircraft to fly.
“Being as close as possible to the military personnel is a source of motivation and commitment for the teams. The aircraft take off right before our eyes and we are aware of the importance of the missions they perform,” explains Olivier Poprawa, Head of the Airbus Defence and Space support centre at Air Base 123. “We know that if an aircraft is grounded, lives may be at risk on the other side of the world.”
Comprehensive support before, during and after missions
Available 24/7, the teams must respond as quickly as possible. If an aircraft encounters a technical problem before take-off, such as a leak or an alert code, Airbus and Air Force mechanics can replace parts using the stock managed on site or call on technical support in Spain via local technical engineers, who will analyse the situation and propose alternatives to enable the aircraft to take off quickly.
“In some cases, our staff can also travel to the site to provide support for major repairs and liaise with the Airbus design office, which proposes permanent or temporary repair solutions to enable the aircraft to return to base as quickly and safely as possible,” explains Olivier Poprawa.
“When we hear that hurricanes or storms are brewing, we know that planes will be mobilised and we stand ready.” After Cyclone Chido hit Mayotte on 14 December 2024, pilots were deployed to carry out repatriation and freight transport operations and to rescue the population. “An air bridge between mainland France and Mayotte was set up very quickly. Planes were taking off every day, and we knew they were going to be put to the test,” says Poprawa.
Airbus logistics, engineering and maintenance teams remained on standby alongside the Air and Space Force teams throughout the festive season to ensure the aircraft were in good working order, exchange parts, inspect engines and propellers, change wheels, etc. ‘The aircraft had to be back in service within 24 hours. It's at times like these that the commitment and dedication of the teams is so important, because we know that lives are at stake.
Preparing tomorrow's aces for every situation
Training flight crews and loadmasters is another key task carried out by the Airbus teams in Orléans. Instructors, often former pilots and flight engineers, pass on their expertise. Thanks to two flight simulators, pilots can practise various techniques such as in-flight refuelling, formation flying and tactical flying. The simulators are also used to plan tactical demonstrations for air shows. All A400M pilots in the French Armed Forces are trained in Orléans.
Airbus training tools are also used to train other base personnel such as loadmasters, who are responsible for managing and ensuring the smooth operation of the aircraft's cargo hold. Aircraft mechanics also benefit from training using virtual tools to familiarise themselves more quickly with the methods and the aircraft.
The Airbus A400M support and training teams at the Orléans air base are at the heart of the French Air and Space Force's operations and work alongside military personnel every day to ensure the safety and operational readiness of the air forces.