EADS executives are pledging to invest $600 million to build a final assembly and checkout facility in the USA for a potential tanker variant of the Airbus A330 for the US Air Force.
EADS co-chief executive Philippe Camus says several localities are already jockeying for the 1,000 jobs that would be created by the US plant.
The company is expected to seek a US prime contractor for its tanker bid, although both Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin have declined interest.
The US Congress has forbidden the US Air Force from continuing to pursue a deal based on a scandal-tainted lease agreement with Boeing. The air force can still decide to buy the aircraft from Boeing or open the order for competition.
A decision is not expected until a defence-wide mobility study and internal audit are completed next month.
Source: Flight International
