Us Air Force's Kc-X Aircraft Tanker Programme

EDM number 846 in 2009-10, proposed by Robert Walter on 09/02/2010.
Categorised under the topics of Defence equipment and procurement and North America.

That this House celebrates the important and longstanding historical ties between the UK and the US and the two nations' important strategic relationship in defence, security and trade; notes that defence trade between the US and UK amounts to approximately $2.5 billion per year and that the balance of US-UK defence exports is around 2 to 1 in the US's favour; further notes that the United States Air Force is currently seeking to procure a new fleet of air-to-air refuelling tankers known as KC-X and had selected a bid led by Northrop Grumman involving Airbus aircraft; further notes that these aircraft will be built in the US using wings and landing gear that are designed and manufactured by Airbus in the UK and refuelling systems supplied by Cobham in Dorset, thereby supporting high-value manufacturing jobs and skills in this country, as well as parts from more than 230 US suppliers spread across all 50 states; is concerned that US Air Force's decision has been overturned as a result of lobbying by Boeing; deplores such moves towards protectionism in the United States; and calls on the Government to urge the Obama administration to conduct the KC-X procurement in an open and transparent manner so that all contractors are able to compete on level terms and the best bid can win.

This motion has been signed by a total of 36 MPs.