On Wednesday, His Majesty King Philippe of the Belgians visited Melsbroek Air Force Base to view a new A400M airbus.
On this visit, he was joined by his first son and second child, Prince Gabriel.
During the aircraft’s first flight, which was carried out at a low altitude, instructions were given in two languages. During the second flight, carried out at about 10000 feet above the ground, King Philippe and Prince Gabriel also watched a group of paratroopers practice their free jumps.
The new aircraft is one of eight aeroplanes, part of an ensemble of Belgian and Luxembourgish military vehicles that will be based at Melsbroek Airport.
The aircraft is the result of a collaboration of various European countries, namely, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, as well as Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The vehicle can travel a distance of 5400 km (3355 miles) and transport around 37 tonnes (81571 lbs) of cargo, a flight crew of about three or four people, military paratroopers and vehicles in hostile environments.
It can also be used in case of necessity for medical evacuations or refuelling during flight.
With the press release for the event, the Belgian Royal Palace also released a video from 1983, in which then-Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant, can be seen practising the same paratrooper free jump from a plane. This came in the context of Philippe’s military training – he underwent that to prepare for his role as monarch, head of state and Chief of the Armed Forces.
It is expected that Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, the King’s first daughter and heir to the Belgian throne, will also undergo the same type of training during the military education she is receiving at the Belgian Military Academy.
