The AirTanker consortium negotiating an airborne tanker deal using Airbus
A330s with the British defense ministry has added support services
provider VT Group as a shareholder. VT Group is taking a 10% stake
in the venture. EADS is the largest stakeholder at 40%, followed by
Rolls-Royce and Cobham with 20% each. The latter two gave up 5% each
to make room for VT Group. Thales holds the remaining 10%. Protracted
negotiations are slated to last until at least the fall. AirTanker
representatives won't predict when a contract will be inked. The in-service
date of 2009 so far hasn't slid; Air Tanker officials contend it potentially
could be accelerated.
