I posted the figures to provide a simplistic cost comparison. I would not go down the capability road if i was arguing for the A400m over the C-17. Halving the number of C-17's in a direct comparison was a neat, if incorrect, trick.
You have a fair point there sir, I stand corrected, you've also summed up the A400M project in a nutshell :
Sad to say it but; nice aeroplane, wrong time, poor contract.
One wonders if they've discussed the Eurofighter model of payment in Tranches or is this still the development costs they're talking about?
My own belief is that the UK will pay their full share plus a bit more and get the full 25 airframes but perhaps in a quicker timeframe than the other customers. The Germans however won't be getting the full 60 and may have them delivered over a longer period.