[NickC25]

I think you're right - some of the hardware the military buys from Boeing is because legally they can't buy from anyone else. IIRC they are forced to buy American made stuff on national security grounds.

I don't have a problem with that, except that Boeing's products kinda suck.

[Jtsummers]

There's a priority for US-based, but it's not a hard requirement. KC-46 was almost the KC-45, that was an NG/Airbus effort built on the A330.

[ViewTrick1002]

Which has been a complete shitshow while the Airbus alternative keeps snagging up customers around the world.

> By January 2021, Boeing's losses on the program were estimated at $5 billion (~$5.55 billion in 2023).[88] At the time, it was expected that the KC-46 would not be combat ready until at least late 2023.[89]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_KC-46_Pegasus

[Jtsummers]

Yep, why I wrote this in my other comment: KC-46 the cursed refueler program.

It's an excellent example of the self-inflicted wounds plaguing US DOD acquisition and sustainment programs.