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EADS still 'fully committed' to A400M programme
Paris (AFP) March 30, 2009 European aerospace group EADS insisted Monday it was still committed to building the A400M military transport after its Airbus unit warned it may not be able to complete the much-delayed aircraft. Airbus chief executive Thomas Enders had told the German weekly Der Spiegel the firm was unable "in current conditions" to complete the 20-billion-euro A400 programme, which is already running three years late. "Clarifying comments made in the press, EADS confirms that it remains fully committed to the construction of the A400M that will be the most complete high performance military plane for the coming decades," a statement said. But EADS reiterated calls for a renegotiation of its contract with client countries including France and Germany, which have threatened to cancel or reduce their orders. "The group reaffirms that the contract signed in 2003 does not provide the necessary conditions for the successful development of the programme," it said, arguing that the contract was based on "an unrealistic timetable." The A400M's inaugural flight, set for January, was postponed indefinitely because of engine problems. The seven European countries that have ordered A400M aircraft agreed in March to give EADS a three-month moratorium, but are set to decide from July 1 whether to start cancelling orders. Germany has ordered 60 planes, France 50, Spain 27, Great Britain 25, Turkey 10, Belgium seven, and Luxembourg is planning to buy one A400M aircraft. EADS called for the three months to "be used by all partners of the programme to put it back on tracks within conditions acceptable by all parties." Speaking in southern France on Monday, Defence Minister Herve Morin said Paris was determined to keep the A400 afloat. "I am doing everything to save this programme," Morin told reporters during a visit to a military base. "This is a flagship European programme, a major industrial programme, an extremely well-placed and programme that is unique in the world," he said. Berlin, which has taken a tough line towards EADS, called on Monday for the group to uphold its contract to build the plane, but appeared to leave the door open for a loosening of terms. "Contracts must be upheld, that is my principle," Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung told reporters in Berlin. But he added that Berlin was waiting for EADS to provide it with a detailed update on the programme. "We need transparency, we need a clear presentation: How, in what configuration... and in what timeframe can the A400 be built?" he said. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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Analysis: China can't buy Sukhoi jets
Hong Kong (UPI) Mar 25, 2009 Some Western media have reported that China is negotiating with Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi Co. for the procurement of 14 Su-33 shipborne fighters, claiming that the contract on the deal will be signed soon. |
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