KC-767
Posted on 09/08/2015 5:31:07 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Airbus said on Tuesday its defence division would not bid for a Japanese air-to-air refueling tanker aircraft deal estimated to be worth over a billion dollars because the terms of the tender favoured its U.S. rival Boeing Co.
Japan's government had said in June that it wants four tankers to supplement its existing four Boeing 767-based tankers. On Tuesday, a Japanese Ministry of Defense spokeswoman confirmed that a request for proposals (RFP) has been issued, but was unable to provide any other details or respond to the Airbus decision.
In a statement, Airbus said the RFP allowed Japan to buy tankers under the U.S. government's foreign military sale mechanism, which involves the two governments negotiating the contract directly.
This mechanism, Airbus said, did not allow for a fair price comparison between its A330-based multi-role tanker transport or MRTT and similar offerings from rival firms.
"Airbus Defence and Space regrets that the way in which this RFP has been formulated has forced it to conclude that it would be an inappropriate use of shareholders' funds and company resources to bid on this contract and accordingly the company will not be competing," the company added.
Boeing deferred comment on the matter to the U.S. government and the Japanese defence ministry.
Japan and Italy are the only two countries that currently use Boeing's latest 767-based refueling planes. The US Air Force plans to spend $52 billion to develop and buy 179 of these tankers, which will replace its current fleet of KC-135 tankers.
Airbus has been chosen to supply around 60 A330 MRTT tankers to about 10 countries including Britain, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, wi
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
KC-767
When I worked on military projects the objective was to get the military to let us write the solicitation for them. We were eager to help as we built into it requirements for the features we had and wrote out of it features the competition had. Once that is done you’re a shoo-in.
I’ve been on both sides of that dime.
Airbus has been chosen to supply around 60 A330 MRTT tankers to about 10 countries including Britain, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
Look for the union label...WE should be building those 60 tankers.
“When I worked on military projects the objective was to get the military to let us write the solicitation for them. We were eager to help as we built into it requirements for the features we had and wrote out of it features the competition had. Once that is done you’re a shoo-in.”
Normally if you already have the contract and a new one is about to be offered, the government usually asks the incumbent to help write the new RFI. When that happens the incumbent makes it look as it is fair, since not doing so is a crime.
Also been on both sides. 99% of the time the loser protests the award.
The article is a bit misleading. The KC-46 being built for the USAF has some differences from the KC-767 sold to Italy and Japan.
Silly boy .... only engineers can design a nail
“or equal”
In Mobile Alabama. But you didn't want to.
Wait a minute...Hell ya talking about?
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