Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. has denied reports that it plans to bid on the U.S. Air Force tanker contract.
Late last week, a Los Angeles-based attorney told the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets that Russia’s UAC would announce plans on Monday to bid for the $35 billion aerial refueling contract. However, officials for UAC said the reports were erroneous and denied any association with attorney John Kirkland.
“UAC is not planning to take part in the tanker tender or set up a joint venture,” said Alexey Fedorov, UAC president and chairman of executive board, in a statement posted Monday on UAC’s Web site.
The Boeing Co. plans to offer a tanker based on its Everett-built 767 jet for the contract to supply the Air Force 179 aerial refueling tankers. Europe-based EADS also is considering a bid after the Pentagon said it would consider extending the May 10 deadline for bids. EADS initially partnered with U.S.-based defense contractor Northrop Grumman, but Northrop dropped out of the contest earlier this month. EADS officials said Monday they expect an answer on their 90-day extension request in the next few days.
Despite UAC’s denial of interest in bidding for the Air Force tanker contract, Kirkland has supplied the media with documents supporting claims that his firm was establishing a joint venture for UAC in the United States for the purpose of competing in the Air Force tanker contest.
“It is very important for me that people know I am not just making (expletive deleted) up. I have (received) written letters from UAC on UAC letterheads with UAC control numbers,” Kirkland told Reuters.
On Sunday, Kirkland sent a letter to UAC’s president as well as the Russian Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation, asking for clarification about the UAC’s comments in the media. Kirkland works for the firm of Luce, Forward, Hamilton &Scripps, in Los Angeles.
In an even weirder twist, Kirkland provided Defense News with a text message, dated 9:31 a.m., March 21, that comes from a Sergei Sushenko, who is described as a Russian liaison. In the message, Sushenko claims Airbus offered UAC $350,000 not to bid. EADS, the parent company of Airbus, denied the claim.
This is the Air Force’s third attempt to replace its Eisenhower-era tankers. The Pentagon had planned to award the contract in September.
Herald Writer Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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