In a confidential report, the German Defence Ministry has warned that operation of the A400M military transport plane could be affected by technical and legal obstacles.
The A400M was ordered in 2003 to give Europe an independent military transport capability.
The new aircraft, a four-engine turboprop airlifter, was designed by Airbus Military, and can perform aerial refuelling and medical evacuation. It was intended to replace long-serving transport planes used by European nations, such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the Transall C-160.
Seven Nato countries are in the €20bn project, which is Europe’s largest defence venture.
T
he report, seen by Reuters, said that “Given the under-financing of the programme and the expected demands for delay-related damages, Airbus will not make the needed investments to carry out required improvements.”
“The operational use of the plane is therefore in jeopardy.”
https://eandt.theiet.org/content/ar...of-a400m-is-in-jeopardy-says-german-ministry/
The A400M was ordered in 2003 to give Europe an independent military transport capability.
The new aircraft, a four-engine turboprop airlifter, was designed by Airbus Military, and can perform aerial refuelling and medical evacuation. It was intended to replace long-serving transport planes used by European nations, such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the Transall C-160.
Seven Nato countries are in the €20bn project, which is Europe’s largest defence venture.
T
he report, seen by Reuters, said that “Given the under-financing of the programme and the expected demands for delay-related damages, Airbus will not make the needed investments to carry out required improvements.”
“The operational use of the plane is therefore in jeopardy.”
https://eandt.theiet.org/content/ar...of-a400m-is-in-jeopardy-says-german-ministry/