German Military Ambitions Hampered by Airbus Delay

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen’s effort to expand the country’s military role in global trouble spots is being hampered by delivery delays with the Airbus Group SE’s A400M transport plane, prompting the minister to consider other options.

Von der Leyen, who this month announced plans to expand German troop strength for the first time since the end of the Cold War, is looking at leasing or even buying aircraft from competitors to meet the country’s needs, said a senior ministry official who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. The ministry has asked Airbus to outline the problems with the A400M and the length of time each fix will take, said Jens Flosdorff, her chief spokesman.