An Royal Air Force (RAF)-operated Airbus A400M Atlas C1 heavy-lift tactical transport has delivered a military aid package to Pakistan, after the country was hit by devastating floods in September.
These aid packages comprised eight general-purpose boats with outboard engines, along with repair kits and ten portable electrical generators. On an undisclosed day in September, the RAF A400M departed its home base at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, and landed at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Nur Khan in Chaklala, Pakistan.
PAF ground crews received the aid packages after the Pakistani authorities issued a multinational appeal for additional aid and support as the country continues to suffer from the impact of the widespread flooding. This aid package was provided as part of the UK government's commitment to provide flood relief to the country.
Commenting on this, James Heappey - the UK's Armed Forces Minister - said: "Our thoughts remain with all those impacted by the flooding in Pakistan. Responding to humanitarian crises across the globe, helping our partners in their hour of need, is what our Armed Forces do best and I'm proud that we were able to respond to Pakistan's request for help rapidly with the assistance of the RAF."
Manufactured by Airbus, the A400M Atlas C1 entered operational RAF service in November 2014. In total, 22 examples were ordered after initial plans for 25 aircraft were changed due to financial constraints. The RAF has so far received 20 of the 22 A400Ms on order, with the type being operated by No XXIV (24) Squadron, No 30 Squadron, No LXX (70) Squadron and No 206 Squadron from RAF Brize Norton. It is expected that the UK will place an order for additional Atlas C1s in the coming years, but exactly how many has yet to be confirmed.
