Atlas A400 flying from RAF Akotiri makes emergency landing at Marseille

The RAF says an Atlas A400M on a routine flight from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus suffered a technical issue while flying over the south of France, which led to it diverting to Marseille where it landed safely.

It is understood the issue identified is now under investigation, with the aircraft expected to return to base in the near future.

An RAF spokesperson said: "An RAF Atlas A400M on a routine transit from RAF Akrotiri had a technical issue leading to a precautionary diversion to Marseille. 

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"The aircraft completed an uneventful recovery and landed safely."

The Airbus A400M Atlas has taken over the lead of the RAF's tactical airlift of troops and equipment following the decommissioning of the Hercules C-130.

In May, the 22nd Atlas aircraft, procured by the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) on behalf of the RAF, touched down at RAF Brize Norton, completing the total number of transport aircraft ordered.

The A400 has already played a key role in recent RAF operations, including Operation Pitting, the Kabul evacuation in 2021 and Operation Polar Bear, the Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) in Sudan.