MoD unveils UK's first A400M Atlas

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has officially unveiled the first of the UK's A400M Atlas next-generation military transport aircraft.

Manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space, the plane will replace the existing fleet of C-130 Hercules that have been used by the RAF's air transport fleet for decades.

The A400M is capable of flying almost twice as fast, twice as far and carrying almost twice as much cargo as its predecessor. 

Its 32-tonne cargo capacity and hold optimised for carriage of heavy vehicles, helicopters or cargo pallets mean the aircraft is capable of supporting a wide range of operational scenarios.

Prime minister David Cameron said the aircraft would be "a huge contributor to future air mobility in the RAF and is a further example of this government's continued investment in the equipment our armed forces need".

The £2.8 billion programme will see a total of 22 aircraft delivered to the RAF in the coming years.