Demand for answers to engine problems in air force’s £2.6bn transporter fleet

A ROW erupted at a Nato conference over the RAF’S new £2.6billion transporter planes after it emerged that engine problems meant that on occasion just two of 20-strong fleet were able to fly at any one time.

The delay in bringing into service the new A400M plane for the RAF and other partner nations led to a major disagreement between Airbus, the manufacturer, and Nato ministers.

Stuart Andrew, the minister for defence procurement, said that after an “extremely robust meeting” the problems with the A400M aircraft should be fixed by next year.

Concerns were raised over the new aircraft after its inception in 2003. A recent defence select committee was told that engineering staff at RAF Brize Norton called the aircraft “a dog” and that on occasion only two out of the fleet of 20 aircraft were serviceable.

In 2015, an A400M crashed in Spain during a test flight, killing four crew. A software fault, since rectified, was found to be the cause.

In Parliament this week Mark Francois, a former defence minister, said: “We have paid £2.6billion for an aircraft with appalling reliability, bad engines, a virtually broken gearbox, problem propellers, massive vibration problems and an inability to deliver paratroops.”

He asked what could be done about the “emerging procurement disaster”.

Mr Andrew replied: “The performance has been totally unacceptable. We are now expecting Europrop International, the engine manufacturer, to be more empowered to negotiate the support solutions that we need. Airbus Defence and Space has also been held to account, but, following the problems with the engines and gear boxes, those parts will be replaced on each of the aircraft by the middle of next year.”

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that there would be no additional cost to the taxpayer and that all reliability improvements would be funded by industry. The RAF version of the A400M – called Atlas – is due to replace the current fleet of C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.

This is said to be far more capable and versatile than the ageing Hercules as it is fitted with propellers rather than jet engines and can operate from dirt strips and unprepared runways.

Britain has bought 22 of the aircraft, with 20 delivered so far.