Concern is growing among Germany's Eurofighter partners over the country's continuing inability to approve EF2000 production investment, with the threat of further programme delays now looming.
The UK, with the support of Italy and Spain, has been pressing Germany to approve next phase of the EF2000 programme for the production of the aircraft no later than mid-1997. German politicians are now warning, however, that it may not come before cabinet until early July, before which parliament is due to go into its mid-year recess.
According to German parliamentary defence committee member Thomas Kossendey, the cabinet is finally due to address the question on 2 July. Because the parliamentary summer recess begins on 27 June, however, this means a decision will not be cleared before September at the earliest.
By the third quarter of this year, the EF2000 is in increasing danger of becoming an election issue in Germany as the country gears up for a 1998 election, which could only damage its prospects further.
The mood among the other Eurofighter partners has swung from optimism at German assurances early this year that a go-ahead would come in the first quarter, to increasing frustration.
The political and financial problems which have delayed Germany's commitment to the programme are worsening as time goes by, say UK sources close to the programme.
Italy, Spain and the UK are beginning to explore the possibility of proceeding without initially German participation, say sources.
Daimler-Benz Aerospace (Dasa) president Manfred Bischoff is running out of patience, says the German company. If Government does not give firm backing to the programme in the first week of July, the company will stop funding pre-production work. Contractual obligations to complete development work will be fulfilled, but production preparations will stop.
Source: Flight International