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PROGRAMS
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THE A400M PROGRAMME LOOKS AT
NEW CONTRACTS IN 2016
AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE IS NEGOTIATING WITH SEVERAL COUNTRIES NEW A400M AIRCRAFT
SALES, AND EGYPT, JORDAN AND MEXICO ARE WELL POSITIONED AS POTENTIAL NEW CUSTOMERS.
IF FINALLY THE CONTRACTS ARE SIGNED, THE PROGRAMME WILL INCREASE WORKLOAD FOR THE
FAL IN SEVILLE AND THE ANDALUSIAN INDUSTRY.
Airbus Defence & Space and the A400M programme faces
this new year as one of the most important, as the
European company could close some contracts for the
sale of its military transport aircraft whose final assembly
takes place in Seville. In words of Fernando Alonso,
Head of Airbus Defence & Space Military Aircraft, the
first sale of an A400M aircraft beyond those requested
by the launching programme countries “will come very
soon”. “We have many active export campaigns, and we
expect to have two or three new customers throughout
2016”.
Great news, indeed. Because it would bring a new boost
to the A400M programme after a hard year. In 2015, Airbus
had to solve production and supplier problems and
also suffered a serious blow after the fatal crash of an
A400M during one of the test flights conducted in Seville,
where four people died.
However, the relocation of the A400M programme office
from Toulouse to Seville and improvements carried
out in the industrialization process last year, have helped
to reinforce the programme, and especially Andalusia
as its global center of gravity. In 2015 18 A400M
units were manufactured and in 2016 will rise to 21. With
the expected signature of these new contracts, Airbus
DS will give the definitive step to place the programme
as the best military aircraft in the international market.
Egypt and Jordan are currently the leading candidates
to become new customers of the A400M. The Egyptian
Defense Minister visited the FAL in Seville in mid November,
and King Abdullah II of Jordan showed interest
in the A400M airlifter and the multirole C-295 aircraft
during his visit with the King of Spain Felipe VI to the
Airbus DS center in Getafe (Madrid). Airbus has not confirmed
if any sale has been concluded but the number
FEBRERO 2016
39