Germany sees no delay to Airbus military transporter

WIESBADEN, Germany, Mar 2 (Reuters) Germany does not expect delays to deliveries of the future A400M military airlifter despite the industrial crisis at manufacturer Airbus, Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung said today.

''Up till now, all the reports I have from the EADS leadership is that it is still on time,'' Jung told reporters at an EU meeting in the German city of Wiesbaden.

The first 60 A400M aircraft ordered by the German army are due to be delivered and ready for use in 2010. The aircraft is seen as an integral part of European Union ambitions to develop the bloc's capacity as a global military player.

The A400M, being developed by Airbus on behalf of seven NATO European countries, is due to make its maiden flight in early 2008 and to reach its first customer, France, in October 2009.

France-based Airbus plans to sell all or part of six European plants to cut costs after sacrificing 5 billion euros in future profits due to delays to its A380 superjumbo. Trade unions have threatened protests.

REUTERS SP BD1551