"It's extremely disappointing to me that the Swedish government
has not signed right now to join the Airbus A400M team, and said
clearly that we will buy the aircraft. From my point of view there
is no doubt that Sweden will buy it, because we need it-but only
firm customers get to benefit from workshare."
So says Volvo Aero President and CEO Fred Bodin, who believes
that the changing strategic needs of the Swedish armed forces
make it inevitable that the air force there will acquire the A400M.
Even though the aircraft is turboprop powered and Volvo Aero specializes
in large commercial and military jet engines, Bodin says there
are several critical components that his company could provide
and other company representatives say there have already been
outline talks with MTU.
"After P&WC entered the engine competition I assume the
price was forced down significantly and it's probably a tough
deal to make money on. Cuts in the aircraft numbers among the
existing customers don't help the business case either, but therefore
a Swedish order would boost the business case and help everybody.
By Robert
Hewson
Volvo Aero Man SIDEBAR
Sweden Should Buy A400M Now, Says Volvo Aero Boss
"It's extremely disappointing to me that the Swedish government
has not signed right now to join the Airbus A400M team, and said
clearly that we will buy the aircraft. From my point of view there
is no doubt that Sweden will buy it, because we need it-but only
firm customers get to benefit from workshare."
So says Volvo Aero President and CEO Fred Bodin, who believes
that the changing strategic needs of the Swedish armed forces
make it inevitable that the air force there will acquire the A400M.
Even though the aircraft is turboprop powered and Volvo Aero specializes
in large commercial and military jet engines, Bodin says there
are several critical components that his company could provide
and other company representatives say there have already been
outline talks with MTU.
"After P&WC entered the engine competition I assume the
price was forced down significantly and it's probably a tough
deal to make money on. Cuts in the aircraft numbers among the
existing customers don't help the business case either, but therefore
a Swedish order would boost the business case and help everybody.
