By Viktor ZAMYATIN, The Day
German enterprises are going to set up a consortium to develop an AN-70-based
military cargo plane for NATO forces (tentatively designated AN-7X). According
to German representatives, bids have been received from 40 German firms
of which 23 are considered potential participants in the program.
The aircraft design is already put up for an international tender involving
FLA sketches based on the US C-17 and C-130J (Hercules) models. German
leading manufacturer DASA (Daimler Benz Aerospace) has not as yet joined
the consortium and its spokesman Gregor von Kursell told The Day that
the company will join if at least another European state does. DASA has
already tested the AN-70 as commissioned by the Bundeswehr, but the official
findings have not been made public. Informed sources report that purchasing
AN-70 has been found worthwhile after certain modifications; also, that
the UK is not interested, and France is trying to push through its own
FLA version, while Italy and Spain remain open to cooperation. Many in
Germany believe that projects such as AN-7X would be much more useful than
loans for Ukraine and Russia.






