Jakarta. The Indonesian Air Force officially welcomed the arrival of its first Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Monday morning, marking a major step forward in the country’s defense modernization efforts.

The event was celebrated with a traditional water salute, as two fire trucks sprayed arcs of water over the aircraft as it taxied across the runway -- a ceremonial gesture to mark the historic moment.

At around 7:45 a.m. local time, the atmosphere at Halim Air Base was filled with excitement. Air Force officers, personnel, and invited guests applauded as the massive A400M -- the largest transport aircraft ever operated by the Indonesian Air Force -- made its first appearance.

The aircraft will be formally handed over by President Prabowo Subianto to the Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces before being transferred to the Air Force Chief of Staff. It will be assigned to Squadron 31 at Halim Perdanakusuma, the Air Force’s elite strategic operations unit.

The delivery follows a defense contract signed in 2021 at the Dubai Airshow between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and Airbus Defence and Space for the purchase of two A400M aircraft in multirole tanker and transport configuration. The agreement, which took effect in 2022, also includes maintenance, training, and support packages for flight and technical crews.

In addition, the ministry signed a letter of intent (LOI) for a potential four additional units, underscoring the government’s long-term commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s aerial logistics and strategic airlift capabilities.

The Airbus A400M is a next-generation multifunctional airlifter capable of executing both tactical and strategic missions. It can deliver troops and equipment to remote or unpaved airstrips and transport heavy cargo -- including vehicles, excavators, and even armored tanks -- with a payload capacity of up to 37 tons.

The aircraft can carry up to 116 fully equipped troops, or nine military pallets and 54 passengers simultaneously, making it highly versatile for both humanitarian relief operations and combat missions.

The induction of the A400M marks a new era of modernization for Indonesia’s defense forces. With this addition, the Air Force now has greater cross-regional operational capacity, from delivering humanitarian aid to remote islands to supporting international peacekeeping and disaster-relief missions.