Final Go-Ahead For A400M Military Airlifter
Airbus calls it the most ambitious European military procurement
program ever undertaken - a project launched Friday with the
signing of a contract for 180 A400M military transports.
The future military airlifter, chosen by seven European NATO
nations to equip their air forces, is now a reality. Today's
announcement signals the start of a seventy-seven month,
single-phase development and production programme leading to first
deliveries from 2009.
The contract was signed in Bonn, Germany between Airbus Military
and OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en
Matière d’Armement), the procurement organisation
representing the launch customers.
Two Decades In Development
Representing a twenty-year programme for the
European military aircraft industry, the A400M contract provides
for a total of 180 aircraft to be delivered to the launch customers
as follows: Belgium, 7; France, 50; Germany, 60; Luxembourg, 1;
Spain, 27; Turkey, 10; United Kingdom, 25.
At the same time, the Airbus subsidiary responsible for the
management of the A400M military airlifter has been established.
Responsibility for the A400M programme is vested in Airbus Military
SL (Sociedad Limitada), a Spanish legal entity registered in Madrid
and having as its shareholders the industrial partners representing
the launch customer nations. Noël Forgeard, Airbus President
and CEO, is elected Chairman of the Board and Francisco
Fernández-Sáinz, Managing Director.
When The Going Gets Rough...
Designed specifically to meet the demanding conditions of the
European Staff Requirement, (ESR), the A400M will provide the
world's air forces with a much-needed replacement for the ageing
fleets of C-160 Transalls and C-130 Hercules and provide the rapid
reaction capability that is essential in responding to crisis
situations.
With its high cruise speed, intercontinental range
and voluminous cargo hold, the A400M will significantly increase
the load-carrying capacity of the aircraft it will replace, whilst
retaining their essential tactical, short and soft field operating
characteristics.
The A400M's first flight will take place in 2008 from the final
assembly facility to be established in Seville.
The choice by Europe's air forces of a common aircraft type will
also enhance interoperability in multi-national peacekeeping and
humanitarian operations in the context of NATO and the United
Nations.
Airbus Military is already in discussion with other major air
forces that have expressed interest in this new-generation
airlifter.
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