A400M delays force look at alternatives

Further delays to the Airbus A400M are forcing the RAF to look to alternatives. The problem the air force has are it's ageing C-130K Hercules which are now due to expire before they can be replaced by the A400M. The UK defence secretary said a 3 to 4 year delay in A400M would not be accepted. EADS have proposed A330 as an interim measure, though the RAF already have some on order for it's future tankers. More C-17s would probably be the RAF's best choice though of course with any procurement this days the biggest problem will be finding the money for it.



Update (19/01/09) : the RAF is looking at "leasing or procuring" either C-17s and C-130s or extending the lives of the C-130Ks which need replacing around 2012. Some of the C-130Ks may be able to stretch to 2014.