This flight global article clarifies what is happening in regards to the NATO C-17s. Also, it mentions “at least three other countries” are looking at possibly purchasing the type, including an undisclosed Middle Eastern state.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/05/30/224316/nato-to-finalise-c-17-order-in-june.html

Looking around the world now in terms of military deployments, etc I’d personally still go for France. I don’t know about the Middle East. Other countries: Pakistan particularly – over 10,000 troops deployed on UN missions around the world at the moment (the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations) and only a dozen C-130s available to get them there.

You have to admit, that is one impressive aircraft. Looks more exciting the Harrier.

Yeah, it does seem odd to be tucked away but then it is only the MoD saying we’re ready to sign a contract now, rather than we have signed a contract now. Hence probably why BAE Systems, VT, etc were all issuing press statements prior to the official announcement. I wouldn’t expect any further developments for at least a few weeks now and BAE Systems VT will have to form their new joint venture first.

It is something that France wants, so they’ll find the bucks. Remember also any helicopter will be jointly procured by France and Germany under their Future Transport Helicopter requirement to enter service around 2017. Other contenders include the CH-47F Chinook and the CH-53K Super Stallion. As the article says, the French had a demo of the Mi-26T last year.

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/votre_espace/presse/communiques/2007/l_helicoptere_lourd_mi_26t_russe_en_evaluation_a_la_dga

Quick translation:

The Russian Mi-26T landed on 5 November 2007 at the DGA’s Flight Test Centre at Istres for technical evaluation for the future transport helicopter requirement. The evaluation was in prepration of the launch of the design stage for the future transport helicopter in 2008. A decision is due by 2012.

Personally, if they can fit western avionics in it, it’ll be a really good alternative to the above, especially for exports.

Some of those photos are pretty impressive. Have they been published or seen before? Do you have any more? Might be worth getting them published in a book…

I thought the latest was that they had shelved plans to deploy the Typhoon in Afghanistan, at least for now. I refer the honorable gentleman to a question asked in the House of Lords last month and the reply given by Baroness Taylor of Bolton, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, MoD where she said that “My Lords, at present there are no plans to deploy Typhoon to theatre. So far as that aircraft is concerned, we are focused on developing its air-to-ground capabilities in order to optimise its potential. It is a world-class aircraft, and we think we can make further improvements. The Harrier is there at the moment and is performing well. Close air support is very important to our operations and we will continue to assess what capabilities can best achieve it.”