Boeing's Albaugh says India's MMRCA decision may take place `no sooner' than 2010

30 May 2008

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In an uncorroborated report, Bloomberg has quoted Boeing Co.'s defence chief, Jim Albaugh, as saying that the Indian government will take a decision to buy 126 new medium range multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for its air force ``no sooner'' than 2010. There is no clarification in the report as to the context in which Albaugh's comment may have been made.

Along with Lockheed Martin Corp, Saab AB, MiG RAC, Dassault Aviation SA and European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co (EADS), the parent of Airbus SAS, Boeing too has submitted bids in response to a request for proposal from the Indian government for a tender for 126 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.  The last day of submission for the bids was 28 April.

The order may eventually be worth up to $11 billion, one of the biggest global tenders in recent times for a defence project.

Referring to a recent loss of contract for the supply of air-to-air refuellers for the US Air Force, Albaugh also said that the jury was ``still out'' on the decision. Albaugh was speaking to reporters in Singapore.

The company is contesting a US Air Force decision to award a $35 billion aerial-refuelling tanker programme to Northrop Grumman Corp. and the parent of Airbus SAS.

The Chicago-based Boeing has said that Asia, which contributes about $2 billion a year in defence sales, will account for 50 per cent of international sales for its defence unit in five to 10 years. International sales accounted for 7 per cent of total revenue at the defence unit five years ago, and now accounts for about 13 per cent, Albaugh said.

Boeing shares have declined 6.1 per cent this year.

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