France and the United Kingdom are also committed to finding a positive outcome for the renegotiation of the A400M programme. The A400M will meet the capability needs of its client countries' armed forces and offer outstanding performance.
The principle behind this renegotiation is that the company bear the consequences of the programme delays and contribute to compensating for the resulting capability deficit.
The two governments are open, on the basis of these principles, to amendments allowing the pursuit of the programme under reasonable conditions. (end of excerpt)
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The joint British-French position as described above, which stipulates that Airbus Military must bear the consequences of the delays to the A400M program, and contribute to compensating for the resulting capability deficit, is a major departure from the position agreed between France and Germany in early June.
That agreement, also backed by Spain, would have allowed Airbus and its corporate parent, EADS, to avoid paying most of the contractual penalties for which it was liable.)
-ends-
Joint FR UK Summit Declaration: Defence and Security (excerpt)
