Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department plans to take to review the airworthiness certification regime of the A400m programme.

The A400M Atlas transport aircraft is being procured as part of a European collaborative programme, and its certification basis is explicitly defined in the multinational acquisition contract.

The A400M Atlas' certification basis is drawn principally from recognised civil standards, with additional military certification as necessary for any specific military capabilities. The certification basis is overseen by the European Aviation Safety Agency, and is in accordance with established international airworthiness standards. The European Aviation Safety Agency has granted Type Certificates for the A400M aircraft type, engine and propeller.

To obtain these Type Certificates, Airbus Defence and Space (the A400M Atlas Design Authority) had to present appropriate evidence for validation and approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency. In addition, certification evidence is also reviewed by an independent certification and qualification organisation established by the partner nations to provide an additional level of military certification expertise.

A400M Atlas is already subject to a rigorous, independent certification process that has been accepted by all participating nations, and that is conducted by a competent European regulatory body with significant lineage in the certification of all Airbus aircraft products. They will review certification requirements and the associated evidence when there is new information to consider. Consequently, there are currently no plans to review this.