BREAKING NEWS is the expected statement by defence secretary Geoff Hoon finally confirming that Air Tanker Ltd, a consortium of EADS, Cobham, Rolls-Royce, Thales and the VT Group, has won the contract to supply the future strategic tanker aircraft for the RAF. Airbus A330s would replace the current ageing fleet of VC10 and TriStar aircraft The 27 year life private finance initiative involves operating the ”planes in a civil role when not required by the military. An airline partner is required, with Virgin Atlantic thought to be the lead possibility although boss man Sir Richard Branson has a well-known aversion to twin-engine aircraft. It does seem to be a case if it is good enough for the RAF it”s good enough for me. Australia is to get the A330 too. The British Ministry of Defence declined to confirm the announcement date.
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