European airlift supplier Airbus Military is in final contract negotiations to supply the Royal Malaysian Air Force with between four and eight A400M transport aircraft, the company says. Discussions are understood to be at an advanced stage, with a decision expected within the next few weeks.
The Malaysian government made a verbal agreement to participate in the A400M effort before a 31 December partnership deadline, enabling its national aerospace industry to bid for work on the multinational project, says Peter Scoffham, Airbus Miltary's head of customer marketing. Flight International understands that beneficiaries of a contract award could include Composite Technology Research Malaysia – already an equipment supplier for the currently eight-nation A400M – and local maintenance and modification company Airod, which could seek to provide in-service support for a Malaysian fleet of the aircraft.
Airbus Military is also in final contract negotiations with potential launch export customer South Africa for the delivery of eight A400M transports and is also offering up to 10 aircraft for delivery to Australia from 2012-15, says Scoffham.
CRAIG HOYLE/AVALON
Source: Flight International
