Comments made by a French Air & Space Force Colonel suggest the A400M transport could evolve into a “heavy combat aircraft.”
Colonel Bastien Cardot, of the French Air & Space Force, wrote in Défense & Sécurité Internationale (DSI) that field experience has “revealed an underexploited potential of the A400M that could make it a valuable complement to fighters for certain missions, in the face of an increasingly dense and complex threat.” Cardot’s article was then picked up by Laurent Lagneau of French defense news website Zone Militaire.
Upgrades would see A400Ms retrofitted to carry guided munitions and other effectors on the wings, in the hold, or both. Command, control, and communications (C3) packages will also be integrated alongside intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities to allow the aircraft to provide a completely organic strike function.
It’s unlikely modifications would extend to the level of the U.S. Air Force’s famous AC-130s, which feature permanently fitted cannons and guns mounted on the side of the aircraft. More likely, it would be closer in form to the ‘Gunslinger’ launcher rack fitted to the rear ramp of AC-130J Ghostriders or the ‘Harvest Hawk’ system used by U.S. Marine Corps KC-130Js.
France’s current order of A400Ms will eventually produce a force of 50 aircraft, though follow-on orders may be possible. While this is a sizable fleet, they would still benefit from the flexibility of having removable, rather than permanent, modifications.
The forward paratrooper doors of the A400M may provide the ideal space to mount some of the necessary ISR equipment, or potentially even weapons mounts. Airdyne Aerospace has developed technology of this kind for the C-130’s paratrooper doors, allowing the rapid and simple role-fitting of a wide range of equipment with the potential for much further development. Airdyne advertises their SABIR system as “platform independent”, although it was designed primarily for the C-130.
Successful integration of the Northrop Grumman LITENING Pod to the HC-130J via the Airdyne SABIR System. @combatair @FranticGoat pic.twitter.com/yE0TjCjFCC
— Airdyne Aerospace (@AirdyneAero) May 5, 2021
Colonel Cardot mentions that the upgraded A400Ms could operate in tandem with fighter aircraft. Since France’s A400Ms are equipped for aerial refueling, this could provide the novel capability of having a long range strike aircraft that is capable of supporting its own defensive fighter escort.
“The large armed carriers would thus be able to deliver precision strikes anywhere in the world, en masse, at short notice, with a virtually zero logistical footprint, accompanying a raid or autonomously,” the Colonel said. “They would make it possible to deliver fire from the air unexpectedly, at any time and in any place”
However, he does recognize that there will be hurdles to cross, including facilitating the training of flight crews who would have little prior knowledge of combat operations of this type. Personnel would also need to be trained for the new backend positions operating the various systems deployed.
Some of the effectors launched from the A400M could even include new types of drones, both one way attack UAVs (OWUAV) or reconnaissance drones. The Royal Air Force recently demonstrated the deployment of a small first-person view drone by hand from the rear ramp of a Chinook helicopter.
UK Defence is investing in agile tech to stay ahead. First Person View (FPV) drones can jam targets, scout terrain, and strike targets — all in one flight.
A trial deploying FPVs from an RAF Chinook helicopter called Hornets Nest was recently completed. pic.twitter.com/3CyI7kN5PD
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) May 9, 2025
With the A400M in service or due to be in service with ten nations, there’s also a good chance of other operators integrating potential new capabilities for themselves. The Royal Air Force has been unable to make use of the aircraft’s refueling capabilities, reportedly due to contractual terms with AirTanker, who provide the Voyager fleet, but no such exclusivity clauses would apply to an offensive capability. That being said, strike-equipped A400Ms with a refueling capability would be an excellent pairing with the long-range Chinooks currently in production for combat search-and-rescue operations.
In the longer term, Cardot mentions that the A400M’s power generation capabilities could allow for directed energy weapons and powerful electronic warfare systems to be carried by the aircraft. The type uses the Europrop TP400 turboprop engine, which is the most powerful single-propeller turboprop engine in service anywhere in the world. Power generation is an often overlooked consideration for aircraft modification proposals, but with the increasing importance of advanced electronics as well as the potential for energy weapons it has become a key concern for military aircraft in development.
