Airbus parent EADS wins $26B British military tanker refueling contract

Story Published: Mar 27, 2008 at 9:27 AM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 27, 2008 at 9:27 AM PDT

By as

Airbus parent EADS wins $26 billion British military tanker refueling contract
PARIS (AP) - The parent company of Airbus has landed a 27-year aircraft refueling contract with the British defense ministry worth as much as $26.4 billion.

Under the deal confirmed by the British Ministry of Defense, a consortium led by European Aeronautic Defence & Space NV will supply the Royal Air Force with 14 A330-200 aircraft.

The Ministry of Defense says the deal was signed Thursday in London.

The aircraft will be owned by the consortium AirTanker and provide air-to-air refueling and passenger air transport services. The aircraft are expected to enter service around 2011.

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