Friday, March 14, 2008

Senior military strategist disagrees with Air Force tanker deal

National defense expert Bob Maginnis believes the Air Force made a serious mistake in awarding a $40 billion contract to a European company to build 179 tankers that will replace America's aging airborne refueling fleet.

Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne recently told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that the European-made refueling tanker "was clearly a better performer" than its U.S. rival, and that was why the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) and its U.S. partner Northrop Grumman Corporation were awarded the contract. Wynne argues the EADS-designed plane was determined to be less expensive and risky than the one offered by Boeing Aircraft Corporation.

But Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis (USA-Ret.) disagrees, and claims the decision effectively outsources American jobs to a firm subsidized by foreign governments. "One of the reasons they're far more competitive is because they ... are not forced to make a profit, whereas Boeing has to be competitive in a market that is pretty vicious," argues the senior Pentagon strategist.

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