Tanker Contract Could Be Delayed 5 More Years

Alabama Mobile The White House and the Pentagon are considering putting the $40 billion deal on hold in an effort to cut defense spending.

by WKRG Staff

Published: Tue, March 10, 2009 - 11:47 am CST

The $40 billion Air Force tanker contract could be delayed for another five years.

According to a report in Congressional Quarterly -- the White House and the Pentagon are considering putting the deal on hold in an effort to cut defense spending.

Last year, Northrop Grumman and its partner EADS won the military contract but Boeing protested the win.

After a watchdog group found flaws in the contest, the entire process was forced to start over. A decision on the delay could come by April.

If the Northrop team wins the deal, they will build the tankers at Mobile's Brookley Field and that means thousands of jobs for Alabamians.

Congressman Artur Davis released a statement saying he is disappointed by the decision.

“I would be extremely disappointed by any decision to put temporary savings over the country’s long-term security needs. Building a modern fleet of refueling tankers, and replacing a model constructed in the Eisenhower era, has been described as a national priority for much of the last decade. In an era when there are still conventional threats to our security, there will be significant congressional resistance to a retreat on the tanker.

I hope that once the Administration absorbs the reaction from lawmakers in both parties who believe a new tanker is vital, this published leak about the tanker will prove to be nothing more than a weak trial balloon. The task of assembling even a narrow majority for a 2010 budget resolution will become even more difficult if that budget does not include a commitment to a tanker that can meet our modern fighting needs.”

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ickthus Says:

Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 11:54 am

the obamanation is like the new coke, coca cola came out with in the early 80s. after one try, nobody was buying what they were selling. Heyyy Coca obama, can it!! bottle it!! nobody is buying it!! the new coke was a joke and so are you.

FastFred Says:

Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 11:27 am

40-Billion is “Chump Change” compared to the waste of money that went to “Ear Marks” in the so called stimulus Bill.If some of the stimulus money would have went to this project I would have felt good about that 40-Billion,this would have meant security for our Country, and look at the jobs this would have created.

rosepetal Says:

Sat, Mar 14, 2009 at 2:38 pm

INTERFAX:
08:32 GMT Russian strategic bombers could use Cuban airfields during patrolling missions - Air Force official…
07:57 GMT Chavez offers Venezuelan island to be used by Russian strategic bombers - Russian Air Force official…
‘We are prepared to fly there’...

yeah lets delay that tanker.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 10:21 am

This contract is no longer about common sense and what would be best for this country. It is strictly part of a political game that will play out in D.C.

dlmartin Says:

Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 10:15 am

It’s obvious that the air refueling tankers remain a top priority of the Air Force. When a decision is finally made Mobile County will be where the tankers are built by Northrop Grumman/EADS. This project is too important and it will benefit the entire Gulf Coast. Check out GulfCoastAerospaceandDefense.com to learn more about the A&D assets that exist in Northwest Florida, which supports this project in Mobile along with Mississippi.

cuz2Jefferson Says:

Wed, Mar 11, 2009 at 9:03 am

They want to put our security at risk, for it cost too much, but yet they are giving our enemies, Hamas, a billion dollars, and paying for scholarships for Palestinians to go to college. Something just isn’t right here! Thanks to all you who voted the democrats in. We could have used those jobs here, not to mention our security is important.

framkly Says:

Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 5:35 pm

I hope Mayor Sam Jones is cured of his cancer and is in great health in five years to see the tanker contract come to Mobile. However, it may be the Republican Party that brings it here. We thank you Mayor for all the work you have done on the tanker deal. We hope you get well and come home soon.

cmb1 Says:

Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 1:43 pm

Wait4me just thing Artur might be out next Governor… Maybe they are thinking get Obama out in 4 years and let the new President deal with it. LOL wishfil thinking

BamaBob Says:

Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 1:21 pm

Anyone that thinks an administration born out of Chicago politics and funded by unions would ever let that contract go to a right to work state like Alabama ain’t thinkin’ straight.

Wait4Me Says:

Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 12:56 pm

No lobbyist will run this administration, yea right, who do you think bribed them into waiting for a while so the people down in Mobile will forget about it and then they can slip the deal to Boeing? Murtha, what a clown.

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