Airbus Gets Tanker Order From Saudi Arabia

PARIS (AP) -- The Saudi Arabian Air Force has ordered three Airbus tanker aircraft for use in air-to-air refueling missions, Airbus parent company EADS said in a statement Monday.

The order comes in addition to the first three A330 tankers that Saudi Arabia ordered in 2008. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for 2011.

EADS and partner Northrop Grumman Corp. are proposing the A330 tanker in a competition for a U.S. Air Force order for refuelling tanker aircraft worth $35 billion. Rival Boeing Co. may offer a tanker version of its popular 777 commercial jet along with the 767 it offered previously.