French media earlier this month said Britain is expected to cut the number of aircraft it will buy from 25 to 19 aircraft in order to stay within funding availability. One British industry executive said earlier this week he thought the number the RAF get could be even less.
Hang on, a contract is a contract. 25 for the initial cost, or none. If the frogs want their military transport development, they will need to pay for it.
The other option should be us walking away, cost-free, as the South Africans have done.
Airbus will recoup losses once they get wider exports, perhaps from the middle east and more sales round europe. Why should the UK taxpayer pay for future airbus profit?