If it doesnt work, is too complicated, over budget, over priced and over sized - just sell it to the military, thats what happened to all the similar problematic projects of history.
[Should we start a thread to list them? I'll start it with Nimrod, Osprey and Merlin]
...So until the military version is announced I think we can assume Airbus still think they will get a civvy version online eventually
In the meantime we can all enjoy the shinnanagins and media manoeuvres but in any event dont forget the
French are world famous for
French Government support for
French projects.
[and good on 'em for it!] I know its Pan-European but its still theirs according to them!