Where an industrial disaster that has already cost 1

Penalize EADS Yes, the weakening. For the Senators of the committees of finance and Foreign Affairs, defence and the Armed Forces, the A400M programme is inconceivable. The European industrial, which has warned that the military transport aircraft would arrive with at least three years behind, has been completely underestimated the difficulties, impede its development would be an "error" to European sovereignty. "It would be very serious misconduct for States to consider anything other than the lead up to his word," warned yesterday Jean-Pierre Masseret, Senator PS of the Moselle, in the presentation of a report on the programme. "Close to 30,000 jobs are concerned in Europe," added Jacques Gautier (UMP).

Four years of delay

Launched in the 1980s at the initiative of the France object of a call for tenders (won by Airbus) in 1998, trusts in 2003, the A400M is the largest European military programme in cooperation: 20 billion euros (including 5 already spent) for 180 aircraft ordered by 7 countries (). With targets very tight, since the first delivery was expected late 2009, six years after the signing of the contract. The never-seen for military equipment in this category. Where an industrial disaster that has already cost 1.8 billion to EADS.

In their report, the Senators list the causes of sinking, in part already known: underestimation of the complexity, pressure from the States, failing as well in the contractor industrial as customers gathered Interstate without decision-making power, lack of risk reduction phase, requirements of civil certification agencies... Result, the first flight is expected late 2009 or early 2010 for first deliveries to end 2012. And again, Paris and London will have to wait a year and a half to dispose of a complete A400M, since the aircraft will be subject to successive ("Les Echos" from December 5) versions. Is, in total, four years behind the contract, summarized Jacques Gautier.

There remains the main question: how much for the additional costs, and who will pay "Too early to answer at this stage," said Jean-Pierre Masseret because everything will depend on the upcoming renegotiation of the contract. A clause provides that beyond fourteen month delay on the original date of the first flight, States may apply their due ("Les Echos" from January 14). This fateful date on 31 March, EADS and the States sponsors will be forced to reopen a period of negotiations on the new calendar and associated penalties.

Paris, which has ordered 50 A400M, is positive because the Transall are gasping for air. Berlin (60 units) is at least on the front on a tougher line, linked no doubt to its dispute with the EADS Eurofighter. London (27 devices) does not preclude an output of the program, as its armies can purchase additional C130J to Lockheed Martin, or even a few C17 in addition to Boeing. For the Senate, it is therefore absolutely critical that Nicolas Sarkozy which the report was sent would pressure on its partners. This action with German or English parliamentarians would have probably been more.