UK may quit fighter project if US scraps second engine

Published: Mar 15, 2006
Source: www.deccanherald.com



Britain's participation in a multinational jet fighter project could be jeopardized by the Bush administration's plan to eliminate funding for a backup engine for the jet, Britain's defence procurement minister has said.

Britain expected to be consulted about the decision involving the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, but was not, Lord Peter Drayson said.

His government would have serious concerns about sharing important information on the project should the second engine be scrubbed, he said.



"Without the technology transfer to give us aircraft that are fit to fight on our terms, we will not be able to buy this aircraft," Drayson said.continue..