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WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) today issued the following statement after meeting with top Pentagon officials to review the final Request for Proposal (RFP) for the KC-X aerial refueling tanker competition by the Department of Defense (DoD). Tiahrt participated in a briefing this morning with Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Ashton Carter, and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.
"Following today’s briefing, I am cautiously optimistic," said Tiahrt. "This is not the RFP I would have written but am pleased the proposal meets the needs of the warfighter and our national security. The Department of Defense made the right decision in rejecting the narrow interests of a foreign company and stayed true to the military requirements needed by our warfighters. I look forward to delving into the details more thoroughly to ensure our American workers are fully protected as we proceed with this competition.
"However, I remain concerned by the failure of the Department of Defense to account for the illegal subsidies and numerous waived government requirements for Airbus. This gives the French tanker a hidden cost advantage when they should be held to the same standard as U.S-based companies.
"If Airbus decides it cannot fulfill the needs of our warfighters, then the Department of Defense should not delay in awarding the contract to the Boeing KC-767—the best tanker for the Air Force and the American taxpayer. After eight years of competition, the Pentagon understands its requirements and the capability and price of the KC-767 tanker. I am confident the warfighter can get the tanker it needs while protecting the interests of the taxpayer."
WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) today issued the following statement after meeting with top Pentagon officials to review the final Request for Proposal (RFP) for the KC-X aerial refueling tanker competition by the Department of Defense (DoD). Tiahrt participated in a briefing this morning with Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Ashton Carter, and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.
"Following today’s briefing, I am cautiously optimistic," said Tiahrt. "This is not the RFP I would have written but am pleased the proposal meets the needs of the warfighter and our national security. The Department of Defense made the right decision in rejecting the narrow interests of a foreign company and stayed true to the military requirements needed by our warfighters. I look forward to delving into the details more thoroughly to ensure our American workers are fully protected as we proceed with this competition.
"However, I remain concerned by the failure of the Department of Defense to account for the illegal subsidies and numerous waived government requirements for Airbus. This gives the French tanker a hidden cost advantage when they should be held to the same standard as U.S-based companies.
"If Airbus decides it cannot fulfill the needs of our warfighters, then the Department of Defense should not delay in awarding the contract to the Boeing KC-767—the best tanker for the Air Force and the American taxpayer. After eight years of competition, the Pentagon understands its requirements and the capability and price of the KC-767 tanker. I am confident the warfighter can get the tanker it needs while protecting the interests of the taxpayer."
