A company spokesman said the company was doing all it could to support a military investigation of the incident and help with any needed analysis. He said a company pilot was standing by to help return the defective aircraft to Germany.

"We are shocked and deeply regret that the defence minister and her delegation suffered significant travel consequences as a result of the breakdown of an A400M," the spokesman said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Michael Nienaber)