Hulshof Disappointed With Tanker Contract

Statement

HULSHOF DISAPPOINTED WITH TANKER CONTRACT

Congressman Hulshof disappointed with tanker contract award.

The following is a statement from U.S. Congressman Kenny Hulshof regarding the Department of Defense award of an air tanker contract to a team comprised of Northrop Grumman Corp. and European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. for new air-to-air refueling tankers:

"The decision to give this contract to a foreign manufacturer was surprising and unfortunate. Simply put: Boeing produces the better plane.

"Over the past 50 years, Boeing has proven to be the industry leader when it comes to building refueling tankers and I believe that the KC-767 would have provided the Air Force with a seamless transition from the similar KC-135 platform.

"Instead, the Department of Defense has chosen to replace the KC-135 with a plane that is much larger and less efficient, Airbus' A-330.

"The Department of Defense's decision to entrust our most advanced military technology to a foreign company is unwise. Sending $40 billion overseas, instead of employing qualified people right here at home is, in my mind, not the best allocation of our taxpayer's hard earned dollars.

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