A400M...as big as it is its still too little...

As impressive as the A400M is, its still too little and too late to find many customers outside of Europe. With the C-17 line looking for orders...with its price being extremely close to the the A400M, I just don't see customers lining up to buy it. This story from the Independent is propaganda in my opinion. Read it for yourself but again, here's a tidbit.

"There has been interest from Far Eastern governments. You've only got to look at the disasters in the area to see how the A400 could help."

Mr Elliott added that the A400 had "enormous potential" in disaster relief, anti-piracy and illegal immigration control. For example, the advanced radar and communication facilities could easily track pirates.

He also confirmed that "informal contacts at mid-level staff levels" had started with some countries. "We will kick-off the export campaign next year," he said. "The full potential of this aircraft will really begin demonstrating itself when entering service."

Yeah this sounds like a little rustling to get interest stirred in an airplane with few prospects.  But one thing is either an amazing expansion in capabilities or just an outright lie is the claim that the radar on the A400 can be used to track pirates?

They're really desperate in the AirBus house.