Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines. Tony has covered avionics, unmanned vehicles, the supply chain and cyberwarfare.
RAF BRIZE NORTON, U.K. — The U.K. Royal Air Force now looks unlikely to receive all four of the Airbus A400M airlifters it had planned on by the end of this year. A series of technical issues and a longer-than-expected acceptance process for the first of the new transport aircraft, delivered to the main operating base at Brize Norton on Nov. 17 means that delivery of the fourth aircraft, and possibly the third, may now take place early next year.
LONDON – The German government has started preliminary work on closing a long-awaited deal for new utility and attack helicopters. The German ministry of defense has submitted plans for the procurement of NH90 utility helicopters for both the German army and navy as well Tiger attack helicopters, to the country’s ministry of finance. The deal is due to be discussed by the budget committee of the Bundestag in the coming weeks, according to information released by the German defense ministry on Nov. 27.
LONDON – Helicopter operator Bristow Group confirmed it purchased two AgustaWestland AW139s as part of a contingency plan against delays in certification of the search-and-rescue capable AW189. The two aircraft were built by AgustaWestland in Italy as concerns grow about the availability of the new, intermediate heavy AW189 to service Bristow’s so-called Long SAR contract with the U.K. Department of Transport.
