SB, the reality is we were the only customer not to have signed up to fuel tank inerting systems for the A400M from the outset. I have absolutely no faith that the MoD were hoping a better, even more expensive DAS/Inerting sytem would be available down the track.
P3 Orion has had fuel tank protection for years. Now the RAF/MoD are pressing for MRA4 to be brought in on a reduced testing program, without basic ac self-protection.
Nothing I have seen in Ainsworth's pathetic answer suggests anything different.