MICHAEL PHELAN / BONN
Seven European nations kick-start long-delayed transport programme, as manufacturer relishes export potential
The launch order for 180 Airbus Military A400M military transports was signed last week by Airbus and European procurement agency OCCAR, representing seven European nations, finally kick-starting development of the €20 billion ($17 billion) programme.
Under the deal 180 four-engined A400Ms will be delivered between 2009 and 2021. Germany's commitments alone account for one-third of the total order for the large turboprop transport, while France will take 50, Spain 27, the UK 25, Turkey 10, Belgium seven and Luxembourg one. First deliveries will be to France and Turkey, with those to Germany and the UK beginning in 2010.
The signing brings to a close a painfully slow process to secure funding and political commitments from Europe's defence ministries. It is 20 years since a European transport aircraft was first proposed, and the A400M was thought to have been on the verge of launch approval at the Paris air show in 2001. Since then, however, Italy and Portugal have dropped out and Germany has reduced its planned purchase commitment.
The nine nations had planned to buy a total of 212 transports. Portugal, which was to have taken three, has the option until August to rejoin under the original conditions. It is likely it will only rejoin if its requirement can be increased to about five aircraft, but it is also being wooed by Lockheed Martin with a C-130J offer.
Airbus foresees significant export opportunities for the aircraft, predicting up to 200 additional sales over the next 20 years. "Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, South Africa and Sweden have all expressed interest," says Richard Thompson, commercial director at Airbus Military. OCCAR executive administration director Klaus von Sperber says, however, that export revenues "are not part of the programme's requirements today. It is not run on commercial terms."
The final assembly line will be in Seville, Spain, although "pre-final assembly" of the fuselage will take place in Bremen, Germany. First flight is scheduled for 2008. Airbus Military, which includes a 5.56% Turkish Aerospace Industries and 4.44% Flabel of Belgium interest, says the project will guarantee 40,000 created and sustained jobs in Europe, with 75% of the contract value flowing to sub-contractors.
Airbus says that there are "about nine specific A400M variants currently required, down from 27 earlier in the programme". Thompson says that all aircraft will come equipped with the fuel lines and system software pre-programmed to perform a tanker mission, and that in-flight refuelling hose drum units could be added under the wing.
Source: Flight International
