Belgian A400M aircraft successfully transports DF90 fire support vehicle in military evaluation.

On March 14, 2024, the Belgian Army conducted an evaluation to test the Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft's capability for transporting armored vehicles, led by the Bataljon Bevrijding – 5 Linie. This operation focused on the transportation capabilities of the DF-90 fire support vehicles, which utilize the Piranha IIIC chassis and are part of the Belgian Army's equipment inventory.
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The Airbus A400M Atlas cargo hold offers 340 cubic meters of space and can accommodate payloads of up to 37 tons. (Picture source: Belgian Army)

The exercise followed the final delivery of an Airbus A400M Atlas to the Belgian and Luxembourg air forces, which took place at Melsbroek Air Base, located east of Brussels, on February 20, 2024. This event marked the completion of an eight-aircraft order, coordinated by the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), an entity established in 1996 to enhance cooperation and interoperability among its European member states in defense procurement.

The Airbus A400M is known for its cargo capacity, designed to transport a variety of military and humanitarian payloads. The aircraft has been used by the French and Turkish Air Forces in several regions, including Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, the African Sahel Region, Mali, and the Middle East. It features a maximum range of 4,800 nautical miles and a cruising speed of Mach 0.72. The cargo hold offers 340 cubic meters of space and can accommodate payloads of up to 37 tons. Powered by four EuroProp International TP 400 turboprop engines, the A400M can operate at altitudes up to 37,000 feet.

Additionally, the A400M serves as a dual-role aircraft, capable of both transport and air-to-air refueling. This capability allows the aircraft to be used in various military operations without the need for multiple specialized aircraft. The A400M can conduct two-point air-to-air refueling operations with a basic fuel capacity of 63,500 liters, extendable with additional tanks.

The DF-90, an 8x8 wheeled armored infantry vehicle, employs the Piranha IIIC chassis and was introduced in 2008 as part of a broader strategy to update the Belgian Army's fleet. The Piranha IIIC, known as the Armoured Infantry Vehicle (AIV), is deployed in seven variations to replace the entirety of the tracked vehicle fleet: 64 units function as Armored Personnel Carriers, 19 units as AIV DF30 Armored Fighting Vehicles equipped with a 30mm cannon, 18 units as AIV DF90 Heavy Armament Vehicles armed with a 90mm cannon, 14 units as Command Post Vehicles, 12 units as Ambulances, 9 units for Recovery and Repair tasks, and 8 units as Engineer Vehicles.

The DF-90 is equipped with a Belgian-made Cockerill LCTS 90MP turret, featuring a 90mm cannon that supports various ammunition types, including armor-piercing and smoke rounds. The cannon, with a length of 48.5 calibers, is stabilized and includes an automatic loading mechanism, enhancing its effectiveness in engagements up to 2.2 kilometers. The DF-90 is operated by a crew of three and is powered by a Caterpillar C9 diesel engine producing 394 horsepower, enabling the vehicle to reach speeds of up to 105 km/h despite its weight of 22.6 tons.