France will not receive its first A400M until the second quarter of this year instead of next month as was originally planned, Tom Enders, CEO of EADS, reconfirmed at this morning's 2012 press results.
He said this was due to engine issues in 2012 which meant that "function and reliability tests had to be repeated" but confirmed that the French Air Force will received its first aircraft in the second quarter and the second and third aircraft in the second half of the year which is also when Turkey should receive its first A400M.
Enders stressed that A400M customers had recognized in 2010 that "this is a military program" and that there would therefore be a "gradual" build-up of the aircraft's capabilities.
"Not all military performances will be available on day one of the delivery to the French Air Force," Enders said, "but this is fully agreed with our customers."
Christina Mackenzie-aviationweek
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