Airbus has received a huge boost following the US Air Force’s selection of the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker, based on the EADS A330 MRTT (multi role tanker transport) system and the Airbus A330-200 platform.
With all wings to be assembled at Broughton, the order will help to sustain 13,000 UK Airbus jobs, as well as 32,000 in the UK supply chain.
The $40 billion (£20.1 billion) contract, worth over £3 billion to the UK, will also allow Airbus and parent company EADS to expand operations and commitment in the US.
“Airbus is delighted and extremely proud that the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker has been selected by the United States Air Force to provide its next generation of aerial refuelling tankers,” said Brian Fleet, senior vice president, head of Wing and Pylon Centre of Excellence.
“It gives the transatlantic alliance a significant industrial boost and will secure British jobs at Airbus – Broughton and Filton – for many years to come. The order is very important too for the hundreds of companies and thousands of workers in Airbus’ UK supply chain.”
