BRUSSELS, March 9 (Reuters) - The European Commission said it regretted a decision by U.S. defence contractor Northrop Grumman (NOC.N) and European partner EADS EAD.PA to withdraw from the bidding for a $50 billion U.S. refuelling tanker contract.
The move by the firms leaves U.S. rival Boeing (BA.N) as the only remaining bidder for the long-running deal.
“It is highly regrettable that a major potential supplier would feel unable to bid for a contract of this type. Open procurement markets guarantee better competition and better value for money for the taxpayer,” EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said in a statement on Tuesday. (Reporting by Bate Felix, editing by Dale Hudson)
