, OTTAWA: Airbus Military today announced it will continue to promote its A400M aircraft as the best solution to Canada's military tactical airlift needs, noting that the announced sole-source contract discussions underway are not a commitment to purchase a specific plane.
Richard Thompson, Airbus Military's Senior Vice President, Commercial, told a news conference in Ottawa he is disappointed that the government's response to the Solicitation of Interest and Qualification process was to enter sole-source negotiations with Lockheed Martin regarding its C-130J. But he noted the government has declared that no purchase decision has been made and the target date for a contract signing is next August at the earliest.
“We are also encouraged by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's comment in the Commons Nov. 22 when, in response to a question about the tactical airlift procurement, he stated: “This party will give our military the best equipment.”
Mr. Thompson said he was surprised the performance requirements listed for the new tactical airlift planes were basically the same as those that could be met by the old planes currently in service. “If the government really only wants planes that match the old planes, then one wonders why it would not spend $500 million to upgrade its existing fleet rather than $3.2 billion to buy new ones,” Mr. Thompson said.
“So we are hopeful that over the coming months, as negotiations proceed, the government will reconsider its decision and at least look at the alternative offered by the A400M.”
Considering the A400M option would not cause any delay in procurements. The A400M is in full production, will be flying by January of 2008 and will begin deliveries of operational and certified aircrafts to customers in 2009.
The Canadian tactical airlift requirement for a 2010 delivery start date would be met by the A400M.
Mr. Thompson said there are numerous important reasons why the government might want to look at the new generation A400M as an alternative to a plane that is basically an update of the 50-year old aircraft being replaced:
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