Boeing to deliver two 767 tankers to Italy

Published 2:13 pm Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Italian air force will receive its first two Boeing Co. 767-based tankers later this year, roughly five years later than originally planned.

Officials for both Boeing and the Italian air force told Reuters that the delivery is expected later this year. Boeing had delayed the tanker deliveries to fix problems with wing pods in the Italian tankers. The company still owes Italy two more 767 tankers.

Boeing has delivered four 767 tankers to Japan. It’s competing against EADS for a $35 billion contract to supply the U.S. Air Force with aerial refueling tankers. Just yesterday, Boeing workers in Everett rallied in support of Boeing’s 767-based tanker platform.

The Pentagon likely will look at past perfomance in selecting its tanker winner. EADS also has stumbled in delivering A330-based tankers to Australia. The parent company of Airbus, EADS is offering the Air Force an Airbus A330-based tanker, which the European company says it will assemble in Alabama.

Boeing will assemble its 767 tanker here in Everett.

The Air Force is expected to announce a tanker winner later this year.