as I understand it the northrup/eads refuelling plane is superior, but Boeing was the traditional contractor for US air force and had therefor expected to remain so

of course since with these types of projects the contractors are obliged to put a lot of the money back into the patron government's economy Boeings 'all american' standing is not that big of an argument

"it makes up for that by the best of the best"

big words for a nation whose navy is intensely cooperating with the belgian navy hmm

It's a nice thing to hear for us Europeans. And also for Americans although less than if it had been boeing I suppose, but I think Americans should also appreciate this joint US-European cooperation.

Anyway I'll be interested to see the actual considerations for chosing the bid over Boeing's

sulfur here