German air force to use A321LRs for troop and medevac roles
The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and aviation company Lufthansa Technik have signed a contract for the equipment of two brand-new Airbus A321neoLR (Long Range) for the German Air Force
The aircraft are scheduled to arrive at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg in August and October 2021, where they will be multifunctionally equipped for various missions, including medical evacuation. The delivery to the Air Force is scheduled for 2022.
Lufthansa Technik's VIP and Special Mission Aircraft Services business unit will prepare the two aircraft for various types of missions such as troop transport and the medevac role. With the appropriate installations, the aircraft can be used in 18 different interior configurations. Their passenger transport capacity ranges from 136 to 163 passengers. Furthermore, the transport of up to six intensive care patients, the transport of up to 12 slightly or moderately ill/injured patients, as well as various mixed configurations for patient transport are possible.
Lufthansa Technik's Original Equipment Innovation business unit will supply the Patient Transport Units (PTUs) required for the medevac role to the German Armed Forces. The contract concluded accordingly comprises 12 units. Up to six PTUs can be fitted in each of the two A321neoLRs.
The Airbus A321neoLR is an aircraft which can be deployed in various flexible cabin configurations on short-, medium- and long-haul flights. The two aircraft will be operated by the Federal Ministry of Defence's Special Air Mission Wing, making maximum use of synergy effects with the Airbus A320 Family models already introduced. The corresponding procurement project was already approved on 3 July in the context of the approval of the Second Supplementary Budget 2020.