To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcome was of the discussions on the A400M aircraft with EU partner nations in July 2009. (291557)

A number of discussions were held with partner nations during July 2009. The culmination of these was the announcement at the ministerial meeting on 24 July 2009 that the UK agreed to join Partner Nations in a negotiation phase to determine the way ahead for the A400M programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the A400M to enter service with the Royal Air Force. (291762)

The UK has joined Partner Nations in a negotiation phase with Airbus Military. The purpose of these discussions—which are not expected to conclude before the end of this year—is to determine the way ahead for the A400M programme, including revised aircraft production and delivery schedules. Until these discussions are complete, it is not possible to provide definitive dates. The current planning assumption is late 2014.