France's new defence minister predicted a delay in the A400M airlifter in another blow for planemaker Airbus, and criticised costly projects to build over-sophisticated weapons when cheaper ones would do. Herve Morin's remarks, in an interview with newspaper La Tribune published on Monday, reflect growing fears that deliveries of the A400M will be hit by a flaw in its turboprop engines."There is a slight delay. It will reach our forces several months later than planned," Morin, who was appointed in May, told La Tribune. The newspaper quoted unidentified sources as saying French procurement agency DGA expected the A400M to enter service as much as six to nine months behind an end-2009 target date.
Airbus has already delayed by three months the start of A400M assembly in Spain as well as next year's maiden flight. A source close to the project told Reuters the programme was losing money despite sales to Malaysia, South Africa and Chile, and to make money Airbus would need to secure more exports.