Question about the A400M project

[Resurrection]

Is it too late for a country to join the program at this point? I've read a document and it said that a country that isn't participating may have to wait till around 2016 for any eventual deliveries to start. Any truth in that?

Seems like an awful long time...

[Freestyler]

even belgium, who's participating in the a400m-programm, will not receive it's aircraft before 2018 :cantbeli:

[Vandervahn]

Problem is that the A400M is desperately needed. Unlike the fighter/bomber supply in Europe many countries only have single models as their tactical transport workhorses (mostly Transalls or C-130). Many of those are nearing the end of their lifespan, especially strained by recent worldwide peace support employments. This has been dubbed the "airlift gap".

So in effect for example it is possible to divert some of the Eurofighter productions to export consumers, since the nations that originally signed up for the Eurofighter have overlapping other fighter/bomber models anyway (for example the Tornado). This is not possible with the A400M, and hence all new customers will have to wait. The Brits already had to lease a handful C-17s to fulfill that demand (by now it looks like they will buy both).

[Lt-Col A. Tack]

The Brits already had to lease a handful C-17s to fulfill that demand (by now it looks like they will buy both).
IIRC, Av Week and Space Tech stated that the four aircraft on lease will be indeed be purchased, and they are looking at buying a fifth.

[signatory]

Wasn't there some talk about a Joint Cargo Airlift plane for the US military to replace the oldest C-130's and assume a mission role where C-17 can't be used (and a c-130 too small) of course all these 'Joint' programmes tend to be super duper expensive but so is the A400M....I mean what are the future options for something slightly bigger than C-130 now that C-17 is going out of production ?

[Pille1234]

Is it too late for a country to join the program at this point? I've read a document and it said that a country that isn't participating may have to wait till around 2016 for any eventual deliveries to start. Any truth in that?

Seems like an awful long time...
I think youre mixing 2 different things up here. I have no information if there are still earlier production slots available. I'm sure there could be found a way if the customer is only important enough.
A different thing is if a country could still join the program, meaning getting involved in development and production. That time frame has passed. I think EADS anounced the end of 2005 as the last chance to join the program.

[Resurrection]

I think youre mixing 2 different things up here. I have no information if there are still earlier production slots available. I'm sure there could be found a way if the customer is only important enough.

What exactly was I mixing up?


A different thing is if a country could still join the program, meaning getting involved in development and production. That time frame has passed. I think EADS anounced the end of 2005 as the last chance to join the program.

Ah okay. Yeah that's what I was talking about.

[littlefrench]

Is it too late for a country to join the program at this point? I've read a document and it said that a country that isn't participating may have to wait till around 2016 for any eventual deliveries to start. Any truth in that?

Seems like an awful long time...


The A400M isn't a common european programme like the Typhoon, it's a plane made by the european compagny Airbus that's why it has to be profitable, unlike the Typhoon.

But the first A400M will be delivered in 2008/2009 to France and Germany (and only in 2018 to Belgium, for an example). You have to understand that today the A400M are only in the heads of the airbus's engineers ;)

[marktigger]

As to C17 the Aussies are ordering 4 and the UK may need to order more (govt has mentioned at least1 and I would say the 4 leased ones will need re-work If RAF purches them). And it was mentioned on another thread that Norway and Sweden may be interested in purchasing a few. However I am well aware some countries are holding of their Hercules replacements to see what A400m is like. Hopefully it will surpass the hercules.

[Resurrection]

As to C17 the Aussies are ordering 4 and the UK may need to order more (govt has mentioned at least1 and I would say the 4 leased ones will need re-work If RAF purches them). And it was mentioned on another thread that Norway and Sweden may be interested in purchasing a few. However I am well aware some countries are holding of their Hercules replacements to see what A400m is like. Hopefully it will surpass the hercules.

Such as what? Just curious.

[marktigger]

there was a mention on the Aussie Purchase thread of a Joint purchase of C17's By Nor/Swe

[Resurrection]

there was a mention on the Aussie Purchase thread of a Joint purchase of C17's By Nor/Swe

Nah I meant the part I bolded. You said the C-17s that the RAF have may need some re-work done if they decide to purchase them. What kind of re-work was my question.

[marktigger]

Basic refit after (I think 5 years) of heavy use possibly upgrading of systems.