Brits may be going wobbly on A400M

One would hope so--from comment following mine at Milnet.ca:

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Each country involved in the programme would have to agree to the moratorium. Britain's defence budget may not allow for an extended delay given the fact that ministers and the defence board are attempting to slash £2bn from next year's budget and crack down on trouble procurement programmes.

Yesterday the MoD reacted coolly to the comments by Germany and France, maintaining that the original deadline should be observed.

"A decision is expected to be reached before the end of the current moratorium on the future of the A400M programme," a spokesperson said.

The British government's recent comments show that it is prepared to walk away from the programme if the delays continue. A six month moratorium on the potential cancellation would bind Britain to the programme and keep it from finding other permanent replacement solutions such as more C-130s and C-17s.

Recent comments by defence ministers indicate that Britain more than anyone else, simply wants a resolution, rather than seeing the saga continue to drag out through the end of 2009.

The A400M has been beset by massive engine and design problems [no shoot] and is already scheduled to be delivered at least four years late...

Earlier:

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Slowly, slowly twisting...