The Obama administration is hearing from concerned European Union officials this morning over the U.S. Air Force tanker contest.
In exiting the Air Force tanker contest yesterday, Northrop Grumman said the contest favored its rival, the Boeing Co. Northrop had partnered with EADS, the parent company of Airbus, to compete for the $35 billion contest. EU officials see this as potential protectionism, reports the AP.
“It is highly regrettable that a major potential supplier would feel unable to bid for a contract of this type,” said EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. “Open procurement markets guarantee better competition and better value for money for the taxpayer.
Germany’s top aerospace official separately contacted U.S. officials to ask them to rethink the tanker contest, reports Reuters.
The European Commission said they’ll keep an eye on the tanker contest.
EADS president Louis Gallois told journalists: “We deeply regret that the U.S. Air Force will not get the best available airplane.”
Boeing’s KC-767 is the sole tanker left in the contest and looks to be the Air Force’s pick.
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