Fed: Qantas and EADS win race to fill $2 billion contract =2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2004
Fed: Qantas and EADS win race to fill $2 billion contract =2

Senator Hill said Qantas Defence Services and the military transport division of EADS
had been chosen to provide the RAAF's fleet of new air-to-air refuelling aircraft in a
project worth around $2 billion.

EADS A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport Aircraft will replace the RAAF's ageing Boeing
707 aircraft.

"The acquisition of the additional aircraft will provide a big boost to operational
capabilities - giving the RAAF a wider range of activities in one area of operations while
also supporting refuelling and transport activities in a second area," Senator Hill said
in a statement.

He said the five new aircraft would be capable of refuelling F/A-18s and F-111s, as
well as airborne early warning and control and joint strike fighter aircraft.

"They will also have significant strategic air lift capacity when not engaged in aerial
refuelling tasks, including the ability to carry 293 passengers and a significant amount
of cargo," the minister said.

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