France Considers Easing A400M Terms
Oct 29, 2008
Robert Wall/Paris
wall@aviationweek.com
The French government has agreed to reach out and see if governments are willing to grant industry's appeal for some relief on the much-delayed A400M project.
French defense minister, Herve Morin, says he has asked his air force chief and the defense armaments agency, DGA, to lead the talks. The air force would see if there is room for some marginal relief on program specifications, with Morin suggesting he may be supportive.
At the same time, DGA would be investigating whether partners may back off from asking for penalties from the Airbus Military consortium developing the military airlifter. The initiative comes after Morin met with Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS, the largest industrial partner in the A400M.
Nevertheless, Morin indicates that any deal is contingent on industry providing iron-clad guarantees on the program schedule, particularly the handover of aircraft. Germany, another key A400M customer, has been less inclined to offer relief.
France, for one, will likely have to take some bridging steps as a result of the A400M schedule set-backs.
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