Bloggers Blocked Venezuela Arms Sale? No.

C-295 hits American chill(click to view full) Defense Aerospace carries a report to the effect that a blogger campaign managed to block the sale of EADS-CASA’s military transport aircraft to Venezuela. Readers of such reports are reminded of DID’s Valentine’s Day 2006 article “Love on the Rocks: CASA’s $600M Venezuelan Plane Sale In Heavy Turbulence.” Its analysis was borne out and an addendum inserted in August 2006, when Venezuela declared the deal nullified. Poking at a dead dragon is not the same thing as slaying one. Having said that, the political effects of this campaign may have lobbying impacts. EADS’ C-295M and its longer cargo space is still competing with Alenia & L-3’s C-27J “Baby Herc,” with its C-130J commonality plus tactical vehicle/helicopter lift capability, in order to become the USA’s Joint Cargo Aircraft light transport.