http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... se-393798/
Spain’s air force expects to be able to employ only around half of the A400M tactical transports on order from Airbus Military,
but hopes to widen its fleet renewal effort to also introduce a new fleet of A330-based tankers.
“We will receive 27 [A400M] aircraft,
but due to budget restrictions we plan to operate and maintain only 14,”
Brig Gen Miguel Angel Martin Perez, chief of the service’s planning branch, told SMi’s Military Airlift conference in Seville on 3 December.
Meanwhile, Perez says the Spanish air force hopes to acquire three A330 multi-role tanker transports from Airbus Military,
with these to represent its contribution to a proposed pooled fleet being eyed by the European Defence Agency.
To also be suitable for national VIP transport tasks, the type would provide a replacement for the air force’s current Boeing 707s, although no funding has yet been allocated for such an order.
http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.asp ... 642321.xml
Air force officials had hoped the A330s could be purchased by adjusting the air arm’s order for the Airbus A400M airlifter,
but Airbus Military would not allow such a change.
Spain has 27 of the new transport aircraft on order, but the financial constraints mean it is currently budgeting to operate only 14, and may store the other 13.
It has previously said it may try to sell the aircraft.
Spain will use the A400M to replace its C-130 and KC-130 Hercules transports and tankers.
Spain had planned to retire its C-130s in 2016.
But delays with the A400M have pushed that aircraft’s introduction back, forcing the air force to embark on a C-130 life-extension program.
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