The first Airbus A350 for the German Armed Forces has been officially handed over by Lufthansa Technik AG (LHT). The low-key August 20 ceremony at the company’s Hamburg plant was attended by Germany’s defense minister, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.
"The exemplary procurement process is really something to be proud of," said the minister. "The decision to purchase the new A350 fleet was made just one and a half years ago. With its 25 percent lower fuel consumption compared to older, comparable types, the ultramodern A350 is future-oriented, and with the new fleet we are securing global mobility as an important part of the federal government's ability to work."
Germany has ordered three A350-900s for governmental transport duties with the Flugbereitschaft des Bundesministeriums der Verteidigung (FBS), which is based at Köln-Bonn. On its formal handover, it thus became the first A350 to be delivered to a non-commercial operator. The FBS flies a mixed fleet of VIP/staff transport types, including Airbus AS532 helicopters (in Berlin), Airbus A319s, and Bombardier Global 5000s. The first of three new Global 6000s was accepted in September 2019, while three A321neos were ordered in July this year, primarily to serve on troop transport and medical evacuation duties. The FBS also operates the Luftwaffe’s A310 tanker/transports.
The first A350 to be delivered, serialed 10+03, was delivered by Airbus to LHT at Hamburg in May with German civil registration D-AGAF. It was outfitted with a cabin featuring office and conference zones, and a multifunction lounge area. The remainder of the cabin is available to fly delegations that accompany the chancellor or ministers during long-haul flights. The cabin in 10+03 is a transitional installation that will be replaced by the definitive layout next year. The full-spec cabin is to be installed from the outset in 10+02 and 10+03, which are in build with Airbus.
"Today we are proud to present to the Federal Minister of Defence the new flagship of the federal government's Special Air Mission Wing, the world's very first Airbus A350 as a government aircraft," said Dr. Johannes Bussmann, LHT’s chairman. "The 10+03 and its two subsequent sister aircraft are a continuation of the successful tradition of supplying the German Armed Forces and having them as one of our best and most important customers."
Following its delivery, the first A350 is due to fly to Köln-Bonn, where it will begin crew training and test flights. Military certification is expected shortly. When all three A350s are in service, the FBS will retire the two Airbus A340s that are currently used in the long-range government transport role.