France really needs the A400M so despite delays “of four years in reality” according to Laurent Collet-Billon, head of France's DGA procurement agency, it is unlikely to cancel the project. In any case, the contract cannot be annulled be just one country, it has to be a unanimous decision by all seven original partners (see A400M Moratorium Agreed post on 3/16 for the list) although each can decide to cancel aircraft by aircraft.
“We believe that we have a chance of success” in reorganising the contract and setting it back on its feet, Collet-Billon said at a press conference yesterday to announce the DGA's 2008 results and 2009 prospects. “The programme is absolutely vital for our armies,” he added, repeating later that these aircraft were “indispensable” because “our fleet of Transalls are on their last legs” [so to speak].
So a temporary transport solution for the French Air Force must be found. “We are examining our options: we can borrow Transalls in better shape than ours from Germany; we can rent Antonovs or other transport aircraft from NATO,” he added. But C130s do not figure anywhere. And whatever solution is found “it must stay within the financial flux of the military programme law.” In other words, there is no extra money and what pays for the interim solution necessarily must be subtracted from something else. What, has yet to be decided.
He said that the three month moratorium would enable all parties involved to re-visit the technical specifications, the calendar, the price and the responsibilities of each. And he hinted that the original specification that the aircraft must meet civilian norms “may be reviewed.”
To remind you of the figures:
180 aircraft in total have been ordered by OCCAR, the European procurement agency managing the €20bn contract on behalf of the partner nations.
60 by Germany,
50 by France,
27 by Spain,
25 by the United Kingdom,
10 by Turkey,
7 by Belgium,
1 by Luxembourg.
Two export clients:
8 for South Africa,
4 for Malaysia.
This project is yet another vision of the wondrous EU superstate. The procurement agency will I'm sure be heavily leaned on not to cancel, even if they wanted to, or were able to. What strikes me is the seeming arrogance of EADS stating that termination is "very unlikely". The EU politicians would create merry hell if it was. They must keep their socialist dream alive irrespective of how much it ultimately costs. The RAF has said it is desperate for this type of aircraft and it has been written in the press they may look at leasing more C130 a/c.
I wouldn't be so annoyed about this if some of our so-called (European) NATO allies were sent to Helmand province to join the Brits there who are in firefights every day with the Taliban. Some EU countries have 'don't fire unless fired upon' rules of engagement and they are sitting up in the Northern provinces, alledgedly doing some 'hearts and mind' patrols in the day and sitting in their camps at night, watching TV and enjoying their schnappes and cappuccinos-as reported recently in the British press. In the meantime the RAF is utilising to the max, all of our C17's and C130's. Sorry for the rant.
On the matter of the A400M, it will probobly be saved by EADS sceaming that the project is 'too big to fail' to save themsevles paying out the 5.7B Euro fine.
USAF budget for C-17s is cynically zeroed.
Boeing says line will have to be closed.
Congress is outraged. OUTRAGED I tell you!
Billions of Dollars are found and allocated by magic, outside of any proper budget process.
C-17s are bought, USAF gets more aircraft for free, Long Beach stays in business, everybody wins.
Then, the next year:
USAF budget for C-17s is cynically zeroed.
Boeing says line will have to be closed.
Congress is outraged. OUTRAGED I tell you!
Billions of Dollars are found and allocated by magic, outside of any proper budget process.
C-17s are bought, USAF gets more aircraft for free, Long Beach stays in business, everybody wins.
Continues ad infinitem (or replace 'C-17' with 'C-130J')
Goddam those slippery Yurpeans!
.