The Boeing Co.’s defense programs chief voiced concern Thursday over the country’s industrial base as the Air Force tanker competition looms.

“Once you do destroy a capability … it’s very difficult to reconstruct,” said Jim Albaugh, who leads Boeing’s defense programs, during the company’s investors’ conference Thursday.

Boeing and its supporters have raised the red flag over the potential of losing the country’s industrial base if the Pentagon gives the Air Force tanker bid to its competitor Northrop Grumman and EADS.

Boeing backer Sen. Patty Murray wants the Pentagon to inform Congress when ending a program hurts the industrial base.

Northrop and EADS are offering the Air Force a tanker based on Airbus’ A330. The duo’s tanker would go through final assembly in Alabama. Boeing is pushing its 767, assembled in Everett.

Boeing argues that the Northrop-EADS’ tanker consists of mostly “foreign” made components. EADS points out that Boeing uses foreign suppliers as well.

The Pentagon plans to start the tanker contest again this summer, awarding the contract next spring. This is the Air Force’s third attempt to replace its aging KC-135 tanker fleet.