Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have concerning the performance of the A400M aircraft during its proving tests.

Airbus Defence and Space have conducted, and continue to undertake, flight trials using their own aircraft in support of the multinational A400M Atlas programme, and the results are shared with partner nations. The results of these trials are subject to independent surveillance by multinational airworthiness bodies, and have also formed the basis of the evidence scrutinised by the European Aviation Safety Agency prior to the decision to grant a type certificate to the aircraft, engine and propeller.

Trial activity is ongoing, and is an essential part of the continuing work to develop the advanced military capabilities of this new aircraft in accordance with agreed capability milestones.