August 31st is Merdeka Day – Malaysia’s Independence Day. This national day sees a huge parade at the Merdeka Square in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, followed by a flypast of Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) fighter aircraft, transport and trainer aircraft and helicopters.

The fighter aircraft fly in from their respective bases around Malaysia, whereas the transport aircraft take-off from the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah airport, also known as Subang airport (SZB)

This year, the aircraft that flew in from SZB comprised of two TUDM Lockheed C-130 H Hercules transporters, nine Pilatus PC-7 trainers and for the first time ever – the newly delivered gigantic Airbus A400M Atlas.

I caught these aircraft as they departed from SZB on a hazy morning in Kuala Lumpur. Enjoy the photos…

A trio of TUDM Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft take-off in a formation. M50-10 | SZB | Aug 31 2015

TUDM Lockheed C-130H Hercules looks beautiful in the early morning sunlight as it taxies to the active runway. M30-11 | SZB | Aug 31, 2015

The first ever Airbus A400M Atlas (Grizzly) in the TUDM fleet looking splendid in that early morning sunlight as it taxies to the active. M54-01 | SZB | Aug 31, 2015

What a line-up! TUDM A400M Atlas followed by a pair of C-130H Hercules having their own little parade. M54-01 | SZB | Aug 31, 2015