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RAF's new strategic transport to support Falklands

RAF's new strategic transport to support Falklands

Speaking at the Paris air show, Britain's Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, hasconfirmed that the RAF will buy 24 new Airbus A400M transport aircraft. Thesuper-modern aircraft, as yet still only a design on the computers of Airbusengineers, is expected to begin rolling off productions lines across Europein about five years, with the first of the RAF's 24 aircraft being deliveredin 2008.

The 'plane will be capable of carrying abut 20 tonnes of cargo or around100 fully equipped combat troops, although exact specifications are beingkept under wraps. Although superficially resembling a Lockheed Hercules, thehigh-tail, four engine turbo-prop aircraft is larger, and crucially, has amuch longer range, giving it both tactical and strategic roles.

Purchase of the A400M was a major recommendation of the Government'sStrategic Defence Review, which highlighted the changing demands onBritain's armed forces, especially the need to deploy globally at shortnotice.

Experts who have seen drawings, and computer graphics of the new aircraftat the Paris air show have been deeply impressed by its unique capabilities.Speaking from the Airbus pavilion at the show, aviation journalist PaulBeaver was enthusiastic. Speaking on the BBC world service's Calling theFalklands, he pointed out that aircraft will be ideally suited to supportthe garrison in the Falklands, and would be a vital tool to reinforce thegarrison at short notice in time of crisis. The Airbus would need to makeonly one stop en route at Ascension Island, and its short take off andlanding capability would allow it to land and take off not only from MtPleasant airbase but also from the much smaller Stanley airport. "If aHercules can get in there, basically an A400M can," said Paul Beaver.

But there is much more to the new Airbus than simply maintainingBritain's defence commitments overseas. "What's exciting about it," saidPaul Beaver, " is that it may pave the way towards some sort of Europeantransport force. Already Luxembourg and the Belgians have combined theirorders, and the Portugese may come in with the Dutch, and the Dutch may comein with the Germans. So we may suddenly see the makings of a Europeantransport force." Airbus plans to make 212 A400M,