A400M on promotional tour of Asia

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MADRID, April 11 (UPI) -- Airbus Military is taking its A400M airlifter on a promotional tour to Malaysia and other Asian nations beginning Saturday, the company said.

The first stop, at Malaysia's Subang Air Base, will give Malaysian officials and others attending the Defense Services Asia 2012 exhibition a first-hand view of the aircraft. Malaysia has purchased four of the planes.

The aircraft – one of five development planes -- will be on static display but will also conduct demonstration flights for selected guests, the company said.

The airlifter will then fly to Jakarta, Indonesia, for one day for viewing and demonstration flights.

The final leg takes in Chiang Mai Air Base in Thailand as well as Bangkok for the 100th anniversary of the Thai air force.

The A400M is a four-engine turboprop for transporting cargo and troops, medical evacuation and aerial refueling missions. It has a cruising speed of 480 miles per hour, a range of 2,049 miles and can carry more than 81,000 pounds of cargo.