>>1302381Joint European programs tend to have insane logistics chains that are really made for peace time and completely break apart once handful of aircraft will be deployed to actual operations. Picture very related. When French deployed like dozen to Mali and Italians half dozen to Afghanistan. Readiness rates in Finland and Australia dropped to bellow levels where pilot training started to suffer to the point where air mobility training to troops couldn't be conducted.
Usually building spareparts stockpiles takes time after introduction of the aircraft. It is also possible Airbus might prioritize commercial clients over absolutely guaranteed government clients.
PS. KC-135 is based on Boeing 367-80, not on 707. Dash 80 was proof concept prototype for both 707 and 135, but those have silly differences like different fuselage width.
