Airbus A400M successfully completes firefighting test campaign in France

Airbus Defence and Space announced today the successful completion of a series of retardant drop tests conducted using an A400M aircraft equipped with its firefighting kit. These tests took place at Nîmes-Garons Airport, France.

This campaign aimed to independently evaluate the effectiveness of the firefighting kit developed for the A400M. The tests were conducted by the Entente Valabre Testing and Research Center (CEREN), a French local public institution authorized and approved by the Ministry of the Interior. CEREN is recognized for its expertise in evaluating forest firefighting materials and equipment, as well as for training personnel in France and internationally.

The test campaign, which took place at the end of April 2025, consisted of several drops from the A400M over a target area at Nîmes-Garon Airport. CEREN conducted “cup grid” tests to accurately assess the effectiveness of the retardant distribution and concentration on the ground. During the drops, the aircraft made passes at altitudes below 30 meters (98 feet) and at speeds of approximately 230 km/h (125 knots).

The Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) firefighting kit developed by Airbus Defence and Space offers unique operational advantages. Its main advantage is that it requires no permanent modifications to the aircraft: any A400M can be quickly reconfigured for firefighting missions in a very short time.Installed in the cargo bay, the kit includes tanks that can be filled in less than ten minutes using standard pumps. It allows for the gravity drop of up to 20 tons of water or retardant via the aircraft’s rear ramp.

Thanks to its ability to take off and land on short runways, including unpaved ones, the A400M can operate from a wide variety of infrastructure: air bases, forward airfields, or areas close to disaster zones. The device also benefits from excellent maneuverability and can operate day and night, in compliance with the strictest safety standards.

“Following the initial test campaigns in Spain, these new tests in Nîmes represent an important milestone in our ambition to strengthen an ecosystem of firefighting capabilities. The exceptional versatility of the A400M, combined with the rapid deployment of this kit, offers a real asset that complements other systems and technologies deployed on the ground, in the sky, and in space,” said Jo Müller, Head of Sustainability and Communications at Airbus Defence and Space.

Airbus Defence and Space continues to promote a comprehensive range of aerial firefighting solutions, covering both indirect and direct firefighting missions, in line with its commitment to decarbonization and tackling the growing challenge of wildfires globally.