Airbus has begun constructing a new maintenance facility for Germany’s fleet of A400M airlifters.

The 125,000-m_² facility can accommodate two A400Ms at a time. It is being built at Wunstorf airbase following the signing of a renewed in-service support contract for the aircraft in July.

Company officials say building the facility will deepen cooperation between the German armed forces and Airbus and further improve the availability and operational capability of the A400M.

Germany is the largest operator of the four-engine turboprop airlifter, with 53 aircraft on order. Some 40 are currently in service.

“The A400M has been in reliable service for the German Armed Forces for over 10 years ... to keep it that way, the new Airbus A400M Maintenance Center Wunstorf is an important step forward,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space.

Airbus and Germany’s defense materiel agency, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), signed the new 7 1/2-year contract in July. It extended an in-service support deal that had been in place since December 2014.

The OEM already performs maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) on the A400M fleet using existing facilities at Wunstorf and Hannover airport.  

Airbus expects the new facility to create 300 jobs as it gears up for MRO operations in mid-2027.