Defence

While it enthusiastically welcomed NATO's announced intention to follow Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA in selecting the C-17, Boeing last week repeated its earlier warnings that production of the aircraft will end in less than three years time unless Washington commits to an increased order of the type for the US Air Force.

Noting that the up to four aircraft slated for purchase under the proposed 13-nation NATO programme were already among a final 18 airframes currently safeguarded for production, the company says: "While the NATO letter of intent is a positive development, the C-17 programme still faces a very uncertain future. Without a long-term commitment from the US government for additional aircraft, the [Long Beach, California] production line will close in mid-2009."