RAF Brize Norton has celebrated the 10th anniversary of one of its transport aircraft, which it says has been a "game-changer" for military operations worldwide

The A400M Atlas is a multi-role military transport aircraft that has greatly impacted strategic and tactical airlift globally.

The first of the 22-strong fleet was delivered to the Oxfordshire base on November 17, 2014, and since then, the Atlas has proven its worth in various operations.

The aircraft has been a key addition to armed forces worldwide, demonstrating remarkable performance, adaptability, and resilience in supporting military and humanitarian missions.

Group Captain McIntyre, Commander Air Wing, said: "The Atlas has consistently demonstrated superior strategic capabilities and versatility for the many challenging missions faced by the RAF.

"Its range, altitude, speed, payload and tactical performance has proven invaluable in humanitarian missions over the past 10 years, including the Caribbean, Afghanistan, Sudan, Middle-East, not to mention protecting Europe’s Eastern flank and life-saving rescue missions in the South Atlantic."

It's a four-engine turboprop aircraft, capable of delivering 37 tonnes of cargo over long distances, reaching remote locations, and operating from short, unpaved runways.

It has been pivotal in relief operations in the Caribbean, the military response to Covid-19, transporting patients, equipment, and vaccines, and the evacuation of personnel from Afghanistan and Sudan.

Most recently, it delivered supplies by air drop in Gaza.

The Atlas is operated by four squadrons at RAF Brize Norton, with one aircraft based in the Falkland Islands providing maritime reconnaissance, search and rescue, and medical evacuation cover in the South Atlantic.

The aircraft is capable of air-air refuelling and can airdrop supplies in Antarctica.

Last year, an RAF Atlas completed the longest-ever flight for this type of aircraft, flying non-stop for 22 hours from RAF Brize Norton to Guam in the Pacific.

All wings for the aircraft are made in Filton, near Bristol, with the 150th set delivered this month.

Michelle Ostergaard, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) A400M team lead and head of programme delivery, said: "The A400M has been an excellent demonstration of multinational collaboration, with working in partnership with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and five other nations for the success of this European procurement project.

"Throughout the last 10 years DE&S has provided support for the aircraft’s global operations and we continue to work closely with OCCAR, nations and industry to procure equipment for, and support services to, the A400M fleet."

The A400M has logged more than 200,000 flight hours, underscoring its reliability and indispensability in missions ranging from combat support to disaster relief.