Malaysia has ordered four Airbus A400M military transport planes and will participate in its development, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company announced today.

A contract signed by the Malaysian government and EADS foresees the delivery of equipment worth around RM888 million (US$235 million dollars) to industrial groups in the Asian country to design parts for the aircraft.

Details on how much Malaysia would pay for the planes were not revealed.

Malaysia is the second country outside Europe to join in development of the planned transport plane, along with South Africa.

The A400M is the biggest joint venture ever in the European defence industry, with an estimated cost of 20 billion euros (RM88.8 billion).

Maiden flight

To date, 180 of the aircraft have been ordered by seven Nato nations: 60 for Germany; 50 for France; 27 for Spain; 25 for Britain; 10 for Turkey; seven for Belgium and one for Luxembourg.

The A400M is to make its maiden flight in 2008, with initial deliveries scheduled for late 2009.

South Africa was the first country outside Europe to join the programme, agreeing in April to pay around 800 million euros (RM3.6 billion) for eight of the planes.

Chile has announced plans to buy up to three A400Ms.