(NSI News Source Info) ROME - March 13, 2009: As delays continue to plague the development of the A400M European transport aircraft, Italy's senior military commander has said Italy did the "wise" thing in steering clear of the program at the beginning of the decade. 
On 9 January 2009, EADS announced that the first delivery has been postponed until at least 2012. EADS also indicated that it wants to renegotiate 'certain technical characteristics' of the aircraft. EADS has long maintained the first deliveries would begin three years after the A400M's first flight. The German newspaper Financial Times Deutschland has closely followed the A400M program and reported on 12 January 2009 that the aircraft is overweight by 12 tons and may not be able to achieve a critical performance requirement, the ability to airlift 32 tons. Sources told FTD that, currently, the aircraft can only lift 29 tons, which is insufficient to carry a modern armored infantry fighting vehicle. The FTD report prompted the chief of the German Air Force to say, "That is a disastrous development," and could delay deliveries to the Luftwaffe until 2014. The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Luftwaffe is delayed at least until 2017. This leads the political planning to potential alternatives in the shape of a higher integration of European airlift capabilities. The OCCAR reminded the participating countries that they can terminate the contract before 31 March 2009.
"I am convinced of this. Italy was strongly criticized when it made this decision. Today, those critics should indulge in some self-criticism," Gen. Vincenzo Camporini, Italian chief of staff, said March 12, when he was asked whether Italy had made the right decision to opt out of the group of European nations that was planning the airlifter in 2001.
Camporini said he was nevertheless perturbed by the technical problems that have pushed back delivery dates for the aircraft.
"As a passionate supporter of European capacity, I am seriously concerned about the news arriving from industry about the program," he said. "I hope that difficulties are overcome, because that way the European Union can finally carry out its strategic capacity."
But Camporini said that Italy was vindicated in its decision not to sign up.
"It is worth underlining the wise decision taken by political and military planners at the start of the decade, knowing the theoretical difficulties of the program, to opt for a solution that provides possibly a reduced capacity but gives Italy today a capacity for transport air that is modern, adequate and among the best in Europe."
Italy operates the C-130J and the C-27J tactical transport, charters civilian aircraft, and is expecting delivery of 767 tanker transports.
On 9 January 2009, EADS announced that the first delivery has been postponed until at least 2012. EADS also indicated that it wants to renegotiate 'certain technical characteristics' of the aircraft. EADS has long maintained the first deliveries would begin three years after the A400M's first flight. The German newspaper Financial Times Deutschland has closely followed the A400M program and reported on 12 January 2009 that the aircraft is overweight by 12 tons and may not be able to achieve a critical performance requirement, the ability to airlift 32 tons. Sources told FTD that, currently, the aircraft can only lift 29 tons, which is insufficient to carry a modern armored infantry fighting vehicle. The FTD report prompted the chief of the German Air Force to say, "That is a disastrous development," and could delay deliveries to the Luftwaffe until 2014. The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the Luftwaffe is delayed at least until 2017. This leads the political planning to potential alternatives in the shape of a higher integration of European airlift capabilities. The OCCAR reminded the participating countries that they can terminate the contract before 31 March 2009.
"I am convinced of this. Italy was strongly criticized when it made this decision. Today, those critics should indulge in some self-criticism," Gen. Vincenzo Camporini, Italian chief of staff, said March 12, when he was asked whether Italy had made the right decision to opt out of the group of European nations that was planning the airlifter in 2001.
Camporini said he was nevertheless perturbed by the technical problems that have pushed back delivery dates for the aircraft.
"As a passionate supporter of European capacity, I am seriously concerned about the news arriving from industry about the program," he said. "I hope that difficulties are overcome, because that way the European Union can finally carry out its strategic capacity."
But Camporini said that Italy was vindicated in its decision not to sign up.
"It is worth underlining the wise decision taken by political and military planners at the start of the decade, knowing the theoretical difficulties of the program, to opt for a solution that provides possibly a reduced capacity but gives Italy today a capacity for transport air that is modern, adequate and among the best in Europe."
Italy operates the C-130J and the C-27J tactical transport, charters civilian aircraft, and is expecting delivery of 767 tanker transports.
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