BELGIUM: SEVEN NATIONS AGREE TO BUY EUROPEAN MILITARY A400M TRANSPORT PLANE

Record ID: 343187

  • Title: BELGIUM: SEVEN NATIONS AGREE TO BUY EUROPEAN MILITARY A400M TRANSPORT PLANE
  • Date: 20th December 2001
  • Summary: (W7) BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (DECEMBER 18, 2001)(REUTERS) 1. SLV EXTERIOR OF ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY IN BRUSSELS; ZOOM OUT FROM A400M MOCKUP TO WIDE OF CEREMONY; AIRBUS A400M PROMOTIONAL VIDEO SHOWN ON OVERHEAD PROJECTOR (5 SHOTS) 0.41 2. (SOUNDBITE)(French) BELGIAN DEFENCE MINISTER ANDRE FLAHAUT SAYING "The acquisition of these new airplanes will fill an
  • Embargoed: 4th January 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
  • Country: Belgium
  • Reuters ID: LVA42QMVTUAQWAMGKGKJGDZKO461
  • Story Text: Seven nations have agreed to buy a European military
    transport plane that would transform Europe's ability to
    deploy troops, but the plans still hinge on parliamentary
    approval from the eighth buyer, Germany.

    Defence ministers of the participating states on Tuesday
    (December 18, 2001) signed a memorandum of understanding on
    the 18 billion euro deal, under which EADS (European
    Aeronautic Defence & Space Co NV) affiliate Airbus Military
    would build 196 A400M airlifters, elbowing aside U.S. rivals
    Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp.

    But Germany, the biggest customer, is not yet finally
    committed. Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping said Berlin would
    pay 116.67 million euro per plane for a total cost of 8.5
    billion euros for 73 aircraft, provided parliament approves.

    The contract included an option for former programme
    member Italy to rejoin within an undisclosed period, a source
    familiar with the negotiations said.

    France, Spain, Britain, Turkey, Belgium, Portugal and
    Luxembourg were committed buyers on Tuesday, but without
    Germany none will be built at all.

    EADS, based in France and Germany, owns 80 percent of
    civil aircraft company Airbus
    SAS, which will itself have a majority of Airbus Military. BAE
    Systems Plc owns the rest of Airbus SAS.

    The value of the contract was greater than the 16 billion
    euro figure previously given, because it included optional
    equipment and support services from Airbus Military.


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