A400 is an embarressment to all concerned. It was a wonderful "chummy" idea for Bliar and his euro-phile, Islington cafe-culture, air/ar*e-kissing nu-labourites. Now it has been overtaken by Political infighting, Industrial incompetance and the harsh realities of the wars we are now fighting; a war which is eroding our fragile AT fleet by the day as the A400 cavalry stubbornly refuses to arrive.
Bin it.
Hold a mini-AT review in light of the current campaigns and then purchase a small number (12?) of C27J to offload the CH47/C130J in Theatre, a few more C130J to ameliorate the bashing they are taking (and to prevent expensive re-winging of Ks and
Js) and some more C17s (another 6 or so). If A400 matures into a worthwhile product (and I do think it will) purchase them in 15 years time as a replacement for the tranche one C130J.
Airbus has had it's chance; it's blown it. Move on, and let the French and Germans wallow in euro-myopia.