To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the (a) technical and (b) financial aspect of EADS’s bid to (i) supply the Royal Air Force as part of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft project and (ii) supply the US Air Force with refuelling aircraft; and if he will make a statement. (192974)

EADS is a member of the AirTanker consortium which was announced Preferred Bidder for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) PFI project in 2005 following a competition. The Ministry of Defence has undertaken a detailed assessment of AirTanker’s PFI proposal, which offers a cost effective solution to the FSTA requirement. The United States has conducted its own, separate, assessment of EADS’ proposals to meet its future air-to-air refuelling needs.