Turkey Gets on Board the A400M
Turkey has underlined its intention to join the European Airbus A400M tactical airlifter program, and has raised hopes that the formal go-ahead for its first batch of aircraft will be announced at Farnborough. Turkey is one of the eight European NATO nations that are party to the Future Large Aircraft European Staff Requirement, which the A400M will fulfill. Turkish President Bulent Ecevit confirmed July 21 that an order for 26 A400Ms was imminent. He gave a clear signal that the deal may be done when Defense Minister Sabahattan Cakmakoglu visits Farnborough later this week.

By Robert Hewson