Agreed, as the French, Spanish and UK appear willing to agree major concessions (75% of the platforms for 100% of the price – A bargain). However I believe it’s the Germans who are taking this one to the wire. If the A400M fails, then we could see the end of Airbus Military.
Just a thought, but the A400M test platform is far heavier than initial design and although deliveries will shed weight - but not as much as has been gained, this likely leaves the German’s with a predicament, as I suspect they will want to make the Stan without so much as a splash and dash.
If the case, they would likely include severe penalties to Airbus Military if the delivered product does not meet spec, penalties AM might not be willing to accept, so more than a little brinkmanship required.
I mean, which military would buy a product that doesn’t do the job?
As is always the case, it’s more about jobs than the requirement.