Tanker Truths

24 Mar 2008
Indian newspaper provides reality check on Boeing's "purely American" status
Today's Business Standard newspaper of India provides a reality check, courtesy of Boeing, on the ongoing tanker debate. Reporter Bupesh Bandari writes of Boeing's ambitious plans to step up its manufacturing overseas, citing the fact that, "In little over a year, Boeing has inked five agreements ... which will result in key components of its civilian and military aircraft being manufactured in India."

While this report does not reference Boeing's offering in the bid for the tanker contract, it should finally put to rest those who suggest that Boeing is the purely "American" company in the competition.

It is true that Northrop Grumman and EADS have formed a team to build the KC-45A and we are proud of this, as EADS is providing components that are clearly superior to Boeing's offering. As this story points out, however, it is also true that Boeing is aggressively pursuing opportunities to move jobs offshore to places like India.

Boeing's own press releases discuss the company's intent to, among other things, utilize the existing manufacturing capability of India's Tata Industries and to develop new supply sources throughout the Indian manufacturing and engineering communities for both commercial and defense applications.

Boeing stated it plans to issue contracts for work involving the F/A-18 Super Hornet for the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force, CH-47 Chinook and P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Boeing also declared its intent to create a research and development center for advanced manufacturing technologies.

Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman and EADS will support sorely needed jobs - thousands in Mobile, Alabama, the All-American city where the tanker will be assembled and militarized and tens of thousands more across in the 49 American states where the Northrop Grumman/EADS partnership has suppliers.

The fact of the matter is the aviation industry is global in nature and for companies to succeed in that space, they have to compete on a global scale. But when it comes down to the current debate, those who criticize Northrop Grumman, even though the company is bringing jobs to America, should look to their champion, Boeing, and ask why Americans are not suited to handle the thousands of aircraft manufacturing jobs the company is eager to ship to foreign shores.

To read the entire Business Standard story, click here:
http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?
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