French Air Force C-17?

[wamovements]

France is believed to have officially requested pricing and availability data on Boeing's C-17 strategic transport to bridge a capability gap caused by development delays to the Airbus Military A400M.

Defence ministry officials wrote to the US Air Force on 25 March enquiring about a possible future acquisition of three C-17s, says an industry source. It is unclear whether Paris could be interested in options on an interim lease agreement or a direct purchase.

"There is an operational gap for military transport and the French defence ministry is looking forward and studying all the transitional solutions," says a statement released to Flight International by the nation's DGA procurement agency on 2 April. "The C-17 is one of them, but there are several other options and nothing is decided at the moment." It declines to confirm whether formal requests have been submitted for the C-17 or other types.

[sijm]

The French aeronautical magazine Air et Cosmos has revealed that the Armée de l'Ar is considering the acquisition or lease of Lockheed C-130J Hercules transport aircraft to bridge the gap caused by the development delays to the Airbus A400M. In the framework of this "stratégie d'attente de l'A400M" or transitional strategy, the French Armée de l'Air also studies an option for the C-17A and/or C-27J Spartan.

Source: http://www.baha.be" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kiwi]

I find it odd that they take both C-130 and Spartan in consideration, together with the C17. Ok C-130 and Spartan are comparable, but the C17 is a much bigger plane for much more cargo. Can't imagine France will want to buy or lease a C17 if something smaller is also an option

[Thijs]

on forehand you have to consider all possible solutions and the c-17 is also an option in this. I do not know the criteria they have but maybe the c17 does met those criteria better than the other competitors. So in my opinion a logical candidate. (by the way are the surplus c17s for the royal air force there because of the a400 delay?)

[Tintin]

Here we are again....leasing of transport aircraft by Adla is not new: http://www.scramble.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=45793" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However, the C-130J seems to be the most appropriate option according to Adla officials, with the leasing (or buying) of a dozen of them.


Regards,