The Luftwaffe (German Air Force) took delivery of its first Airbus A321LR. The transport and medical evacuation aircraft, registered 10+15, was converted for military use by Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance division of the Lufthansa group, which had been working on the project since December last year. The second plane, the 15+11, will be delivered “soon”, according to the German company.
This is the first time that an A321LR or any other model in the A320 family will be used in military activities. The main mission of the new aircraft received by the Luftwaffe will be the transport of troops and passengers, followed by flights with government authorities on short, medium and long-haul routes. The maximum capacity in this configuration is 136 passengers.
“I am delighted to take delivery of the first of two A321LRs here at ILA today. Only two years have passed from the financing commitment to delivery of the aircraft,” said Benedikt Zimmer, Secretary of State at the German Defense Ministry.
In a second stage, the aircraft can still be used in medical evacuation operations. As part of this enhancement of the military A321LR’s capabilities, Lufthansa Technik has already carried out pre-modification work on the aircraft, such as the inclusion of the extended oxygen supply system, a crucial item for the installation of an intensive care unit in the cabin.
the main thing is that this Airbus A321 Long Range in its gray livery sends a clear signal to our troops. The soldiers of the German Armed Forces will be delighted with the new transport aircraft – an upgrade to ‘Military Business Class’,” commented Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of the Luftwaffe.
“Our new Airbus will soon be flying west across the Atlantic to pick up Navy exchange crews in Latin America, for example, it will fly our Army comrades to Lithuania or our servicemen and women to Africa. This A321 will shoulder an enormous mission package and help save lives on its worldwide missions.”
With a range of up to 7,400 km, the A321LR is the mid-range version of the A321neo. The first LR model was delivered by Airbus in 2018. The European manufacturer is also working on the development of the A321XLR, with a range of 8,700 km and scheduled to debut in 2024.
