Flip,
I am not sure what the powers that be are intending to do with the A400M, but I understand you are quite correct. The A400M will come fitted for OBIGGS, but the RAF will have to fit additional equipment if it wants fuel tank protection. I presume that this means the wings will not have to be removed if the RAF decides that fuel tank protection might be a gtood idea at a later stage?
I am assuming "less than handful of ac" must refer to the fitting of a DAS. Furthermore, as a cost cutting exercise, there will only be one sim instead of 2, requiring some sim training to be done in the aircraft! If we are down to this level of cost cutting stupidity, then I have serious concerns about the level of self-protection on this aircraft.
It is not as if we have lost 3 Hercs to enemy action in recent times is it?