European defence giant EADS has said it is ready to put in a tender to supply refuelling planes to the US air force.
US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said on Monday that a contract for 100 mid-air tanker planes would be open to competitive bidding.
The previous leasing contract, awarded to Boeing, was blocked by Congress in the wake of a corruption investigation.
As part of a $23bn deal, Boeing was to have leased and sold 100 767 tankers to replace its ageing KC-135 fleet.
Mr Wolfowitz is due to decide early next year how to replace the planes - by buying new planes, leasing, or modernising the current fleet.
US defence contractors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have said they will consider teaming up with EADS on a tanker bid.
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