Here is the picture link at A.net:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1024501/M/
I think, it use to operate for Austrian Airlines (OE-LAH (cn 081)).
PARIS — The French Air Force is to lease two Airbus A340 commercial jets to transport troops over long distances, France’s Defense Ministry said Friday.
It is the first time the ministry has leased operational military equipment.
The annual cost will be EUR25.8 million, representing a saving of about 30% compared with a full ownership arrangement, the ministry said. The cost of the aircrew and maintenance will be shared equally between the Air Force and the lessors.
The five-year lease was arranged with airline TAP Air Portugal (TPA.YY) and financing was arranged through Ingepar, a financing unit of French financial institution Groupe Caisse d’Epargne (CCE.YY).
The air force will also have an option to eventually buy the four-engined Airbus jets, which will be delivered in July 2006 and January 2007.
The lease will be a stop-gap until the air force starts receiving tanker transport aircraft, planned for 2010.
-By David Pearson, Dow Jones Newswires; +33140171740; [email]david.pearson@dowjones.com[/email]
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