The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) today signed a contract with Airbus Military for the acquisition of eight C295 aircraft, five of them configured as tactical transports and three as maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). They will be delivered from next year.

Airbus is outsourcing to Korean Aerospace Industries some work from its wing-assembly plant in Broughton, north Wales, drawing fire from unions who said the move gave an unnecessary competitive advantage to foreign rivals.

France intends to order A330 refueling-tanker aircraft next year from Airbus Military, an arm of European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. (EAD), Agence France Presse quoted the country’s defense minister as saying.