2016-03-05 According to a story published February 17, 2016 on the French Ministry of Defense website, the French A400Ms are starting to provide support directly from French territory to Gao in Mali.
On February 15, 2016, an A400M flew directly from the Orleans base to the regional capital of Northern Mali and carried a full cargo to the operational forces.
The plane can carry 21 tons over 5,000 kms. The plane allows the French Air Force to fly directly from Orleans to the entire logistics chain in region to support Operation Barkane.
In comparison, the A400M can transport three times the load in two times less than a C-160 Transall.