Germany calls for new A400M risk assessment after latest delays

Airbus SEAnnouncement

05/05/2016 12:50

BERLIN, May 5 (Reuters) - Germany wants a new risk 
assessment of Airbus Group's  AIR.PA  long-delayed A400m 
military aircraft programme, the head of the country's 
parliamentary defence committee was quoted as saying. 
    Germany has ordered 53 of the planes from Airbus, but 
deliveries have been delayed as Europe's largest aerospace 
company grapples with production delays. 
    Airbus last week prepared investors for a charge on the 
A400M programme as it tries to fix fresh problems, including 
gearbox glitches on its turboprop engines.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL5N17V13U 
    Wolfgang Hellmich told the Funke Media Group in comments 
published on Thursday that he is calling for a new risk 
assessment of the project next week to find out if there is a 
solution to the problems and whether there will be more delays. 
    "We want clarity," Hellmich said, adding he questioned 
whether the aircraft could fulfil what has been promised. 
    Military use of the A400M has been hampered after European 
authorities insisted that checks be made on the gearbox after 
every 20 hours of use. 
    "We are in a very difficult situation," Hellmich said. "It's 
also possible to cancel the project."      
 
 (Writing by Caroline Copley; Editing by Alexander Smith) 
 ((Caroline.Copley@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 2888 5214; Reuters 
Messaging: caroline.copley.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: AIRBUS A400M/GERMANY