Australia Minister Criticizes Boeing Over Spy Plane Delay

Posted on: Jun. 29th, 2006 || Source: money.aol.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

WASHINGTON (AP)--Australia's defense minister sharply criticized U.S. aircraft maker Boeing Co. (BA) on Wednesday, saying he is concerned about a delay of up to 18 months in production of an early warning surveillance plane.

Brendan Nelson said he intends to make sure Boeing delivers on its much- delayed program to provide Australia with a new line of airborne early warning and control system airplanes based on the 737 jetliner. The contract is worth more than $2.5 billion.

"We are very disappointed with Boeing's performance on this project," Nelson said at a Pentagon briefing with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. "I think Boeing has let the Australian government down, and I think they've let themselves down."

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