Royal Air Force Typhoons currently operating in the Middle East have successfully conducted air-to-air refueling with a German Air Force Atlas A400M for the first time.
The milestone operation, which was confirmed by the Royal Air Force on February 21, 2025, was carried out both during the day and at night to qualify pilots for refueling from a different type of tanker aircraft.
Both the RAF and the German Air Force are deployed in the region as part of the International Counter Daesh Coalition, working together to enhance operational effectiveness.
The ability to refuel from different aircraft types increases flexibility in mission planning and improves the coalition’s overall capability.
RAF Wing Commander Pearson, a Typhoon Squadron Commander based in the Middle East, said that it[exercise] enhances agility and strengthens the coalition’s operational effectiveness.
The international coalition has long utilized a range of air-to-air refueling tankers provided by various member nations. The RAF routinely contributes Voyager multi-role transport tankers for refueling operations and frequently refuels its aircraft from partner nations’ tankers.
The recent operation with the German A400M expands RAF’s refueling options and reinforces interoperability between allied air forces. Images released by the RAF showcased a German Air Force A400M, registered as 54+46, equipped with under-wing hose-and-drogue refueling pods, carrying out the refueling mission.
While RAF Typhoons are accustomed to refueling behind the UK’s Airbus A330 Voyager tankers, operating with the A400M presented a new challenge.
RAF pilots noted that refueling from the A400M required adjustments due to differences in airspeed, hose response, basket size and shape, and aircraft lighting at night. These subtle but key differences necessitated a high level of skill and coordination to guarantee a smooth and effective refueling process.
Despite the challenges, the operation was a success, with RAF pilots praising the professionalism of their German counterparts.
“We are well trained and experienced in refueling from the Voyager aircraft as operated by the RAF and other nations, refueling from A400M, however, was different because of subtleties that make a surprisingly big difference; such as refueling airspeed, hose response, and markings, basket size and shape and aircraft lighting at night. The German crews were extremely professional, and we enjoy working with them a great deal.” said an RAF Typhoon pilot.
German A400M Expands Air-To-Air Refueling Capabilities
The successful refueling trials are a step forward in operational interoperability, ensuring that coalition forces remain agile and adaptable in their ongoing mission against Daesh.
The Atlas A400M, primarily designed as a tactical transport aircraft, supports UK military operations worldwide, including in the Middle East.
While the Royal Air Force operates a fleet of 22 A400Ms, its aircraft do not currently have the capability to perform in-flight refueling. In contrast, the German Air Force has configured its A400Ms to fulfill this role, further increasing their operational versatility.
In mid-2024, Germany achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting in-flight refueling between two of its own A400M aircraft. It was the first time the German Air Force had completed such an operation.
That milestone followed an earlier success in December 2023, when a German A400M was refueled by an RAF Voyager during an air-to-air refueling exercise. This highlighted the increasing collaboration between the two allied air forces.
The A400M has been a cornerstone of German military aviation for over a decade. The first aircraft was delivered to the Bundeswehr on December 18, 2014. The next day, it arrived at Wunstorf Air Base, home to Germany’s 62nd Air Transport Wing (LTG 62), where the fleet has since been based.
By December 2024, Airbus had delivered 48 of the 53 A400Ms ordered by the German Armed Forces. The fleet has been increasingly active, accumulating more than 51,000 flight hours by November 2024, with nearly half of those completed in just the past two years. This uptick reflects the growing demand for aircraft in an evolving security landscape.
Beyond its combat support roles, the A400M serves as a critical logistics and humanitarian asset. It is used to transport troops, heavy equipment, and aid supplies worldwide. Additionally, the aircraft can be converted into a flying hospital in its MedEvac configuration, capable of carrying six patient transport units, including two equipped for intensive care.
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