Britain-US Fighter Jet Deal in Danger?

Posted on: Dec. 11th, 2006 || Source: chron.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

Britain-US Fighter Jet Deal in Danger?

LONDON -- A simmering row between Britain and the United States over stealth technology appeared poised to erupt again Friday after a panel of influential lawmakers said Britain should consider pulling out of the multinational, $256 billion Joint Strike Fighter project.

The annual report by the Parliamentary Defence Committee said it was "still uncertain" that the United States would hand over the sensitive information needed to operate the aircraft independently, despite President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair announcing such an agreement in May.

The committee, made up of lawmakers from all political parties including the ruling Labour Government, said that Britain should pull out of the agreement and look for alternatives if the technology is not handed over by the end of the year.

"If the U.K. does not obtain the assurances it needs from the United States, then it should not sign the Memorandum of Understanding covering production, sustainment and follow-on development," the report said.

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