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Türkiye has become the only country outside Airbus facilities in Spain and Germany to carry out upgrade operations for A400M military transport aircraft, a process known as "retrofit," at the 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate in Kayseri.
The Kayseri-based facility has opened its doors to Anadolu Agency (AA) to showcase its role in modernizing the A400M, one of the world's largest military cargo aircraft, widely referred to as "Koca (Big) Yusuf" in Türkiye.
The 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate, under the Ministry of National Defense’s General Directorate of Military Factories, is responsible for the periodic maintenance of the A400M fleet, as well as extensive retrofit operations.
Retrofit upgrades enhance the aircraft’s capabilities, allowing for:
The Production Planning Control Chief of the Aircraft Factory-Level Maintenance Services (FASBAT) at the 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate emphasized Türkiye’s unique role in A400M retrofits.
"Türkiye is the only country outside Airbus capable of performing this operation. After the retrofit project, the aircraft gains enhanced functionality, including synchronized parachute drops, expanded cargo space, and improved autopilot capabilities at low altitudes," the official stated.
With 10 A400M aircraft in its fleet, Türkiye became the first country to complete its planned acquisitions in 2022.
The aircraft’s capacity for long-range flights and heavy cargo transport has significantly boosted the Turkish Armed Forces' (TAF) operational capabilities.
The A400M fleet undergoes two primary types of maintenance:
Currently, the seventh aircraft is undergoing heavy maintenance, while nine aircraft are being upgraded under the retrofit project.
The retrofit program consists of four phases:
All procedures comply with the European Military Aviation Regulation (EMAR-145) standards.
Türkiye aims to establish itself as one of the four global centers for A400M retrofit and maintenance, expanding its capabilities to service aircraft from other countries.
By 2026, the 2nd Air Maintenance Factory Directorate will celebrate its 100th anniversary, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Türkiye’s defense industry and operational readiness.
Since joining the Turkish Armed Forces, A400M aircraft have played a crucial role in:
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