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| German Air Force faces 2-year downturn in combat capability – leaked memo | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Germany is experiencing “serious problems” with its military aircraft procurement, which may soon result in an inability to maintain the proper level of combat capability, according to the army's document obtained by media. | |
| The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag obtained a memo, according to which by 2021 the operating life of the Transal (the Franco-German C-160 transport aircraft) will end, but its replacement, even provisional, is “unlikely to be expected before 2023." | The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag obtained a memo, according to which by 2021 the operating life of the Transal (the Franco-German C-160 transport aircraft) will end, but its replacement, even provisional, is “unlikely to be expected before 2023." |
| As a result, this can lead to “a temporary gap in the demand coverage, and possibly to restrictions in order fulfillment" by the Bundeswehr. The memo, according to Welt am Sonntag, originated from a source in the military and was later passed to the defense committee of the parliament. | |
| It is believed that the decision to buy the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules (a four-engine turboprop US military transport aircraft) could provide a short-term solution. However, this comes with setbacks as it involves France. | It is believed that the decision to buy the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules (a four-engine turboprop US military transport aircraft) could provide a short-term solution. However, this comes with setbacks as it involves France. |
| Earlier this month, Germany and France signed an agreement to share transport planes and an air base in the French city of Orleans. The agreement outlines the two countries’ intention to share C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in Paris in early October, AFP reported. | Earlier this month, Germany and France signed an agreement to share transport planes and an air base in the French city of Orleans. The agreement outlines the two countries’ intention to share C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in Paris in early October, AFP reported. |
| France ordered four C-130Js from US aviation company Lockheed Martin in January, and Germany has been looking to acquire four to six of the same aircraft and base them in France, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said. | France ordered four C-130Js from US aviation company Lockheed Martin in January, and Germany has been looking to acquire four to six of the same aircraft and base them in France, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said. |
| The document, cited by Welt am Sonntag, criticizes the Bundeswehr’s cooperation with France, saying "France does not have the appropriate technical staff or equipment for aircraft maintenance." Such cooperation could also lead to "long-term dependency" on Paris, because German pilots would have to rely on the French service staff on the ground. | The document, cited by Welt am Sonntag, criticizes the Bundeswehr’s cooperation with France, saying "France does not have the appropriate technical staff or equipment for aircraft maintenance." Such cooperation could also lead to "long-term dependency" on Paris, because German pilots would have to rely on the French service staff on the ground. |
| Germany received the first Airbus A400M aircraft only in December 2014, after a year-long delay. The total delay in delivery is estimated to be 107 months, with 1.47 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in losses. The quality of the aircraft also leaves much to be desired, with persistent problems with the A400M’s engine. | Germany received the first Airbus A400M aircraft only in December 2014, after a year-long delay. The total delay in delivery is estimated to be 107 months, with 1.47 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in losses. The quality of the aircraft also leaves much to be desired, with persistent problems with the A400M’s engine. |
| “We are now facing a serious challenge for production and customer deliveries of the A400M due to new, unexpected issues on the engine propeller gearbox. It’s very frustrating but we’ll have to work through this with our engine partners,” Tom Enders, Airbus Group Chief Executive Officer, said in a press-release in late April. | “We are now facing a serious challenge for production and customer deliveries of the A400M due to new, unexpected issues on the engine propeller gearbox. It’s very frustrating but we’ll have to work through this with our engine partners,” Tom Enders, Airbus Group Chief Executive Officer, said in a press-release in late April. |
| In August, it was announced that the purchase of urgently needed replacement engine parts is currently "not feasible," the publication reported. The German Defense Ministry concluded that there is a risk of "unavailability of individual aircraft for several weeks." | In August, it was announced that the purchase of urgently needed replacement engine parts is currently "not feasible," the publication reported. The German Defense Ministry concluded that there is a risk of "unavailability of individual aircraft for several weeks." |
| In July, the German Defense Ministry received reports from other countries citing incidents with their A400M aircraft, which allegedly includes evaporation of fuel in the cockpit. This "immediately leads to malaise, nausea and irritation of the eyes of the crew and passengers," among other potential long-term health problems. Airbus is believed to have taken measures. Whether these are effective is still unclear, Welt am Sonntag reported, saying that improvements to the A400Ms are “nowhere in sight.” | In July, the German Defense Ministry received reports from other countries citing incidents with their A400M aircraft, which allegedly includes evaporation of fuel in the cockpit. This "immediately leads to malaise, nausea and irritation of the eyes of the crew and passengers," among other potential long-term health problems. Airbus is believed to have taken measures. Whether these are effective is still unclear, Welt am Sonntag reported, saying that improvements to the A400Ms are “nowhere in sight.” |
| Last year, an Airbus A400M military transport plane crashed outside Seville, southern Spain, killing four test crew and prompting UK and Germany to suspend A400M flights. | Last year, an Airbus A400M military transport plane crashed outside Seville, southern Spain, killing four test crew and prompting UK and Germany to suspend A400M flights. |
| The A400M Atlas was developed for Spain, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Turkey – at a cost of 20 billion euros ($22 billion), making it Europe's biggest single arms contract, Reuters reported. It entered service in 2013 after a delay of more than three years. | The A400M Atlas was developed for Spain, Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Turkey – at a cost of 20 billion euros ($22 billion), making it Europe's biggest single arms contract, Reuters reported. It entered service in 2013 after a delay of more than three years. |