BERLIN - An extension has been sought for a deadline for a deal on the future of the Airbus A400M military transporter plane, a spokesman for Germany's defence ministry said on Friday.

If successful, the deadline would be extended beyond January, the spokesman said. Talks between the seven buyer nations and EADS are due to continue in Berlin next week.

Technical problems and delays have caused budget overruns on Europe's biggest defence project.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold)

Germany