There's an article in the Times today confirming the restructuring of NATO with the demise of SACLANT etc. The sting, however, was in the tail.
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"European countries have agreed to start spending large sums of money on buying key equipment to improve Nato’s overall military capabilities. Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, Nato’s Secretary-General, has won promises from a number of countries to fill gaps in their capabilities. Lord Robertson told The Times that in talks with Nato ministers last week he got each to commit his government to buying or leasing specific equipment immediately.
Germany will lease several strategic-range transport aircraft, either the US C17 Globemaster or the Russian Antonov. Britain, which has four C17s under a seven-year leasing arrangement, is likely to extend the deal with Boeing".
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With the budgetary problems they have already, one has to wonder what the implications are for the A-400M.
It would seem nonsensical to operate/lease 2 types; and if they've already narrowed it down to the C-17 or an Antonov (A-74? Though it's having problems in the test program I believe).