What's six tankers, when you've got a deal for 179 tankers weighing on your head? Boeing has officially said that it won't even consider participating in India's soon to be re-tendered mid-air refuelling tanker competition (six aircraft) with its 767-based tanker until it has finished roadrolling its way to victory in the similarly dubious US Air Force contract for 179 refuellers. Boeing responded to a query I sent in with this: "Only upon the outcome of the KC-X competition for replacement U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tankers will we be able to fully determine our ability to participate in future international competitions. Boeing is committed to helping our international customers meet their military requirements, but we are not in a position now to discuss in any detail interest expressed by specific customers. Generally, however, when our international customers issue a request for information or interest we conduct a detailed evaluation or the request, study our inventory of potential offerings and make a decision based on that information."Sources say there's more to the government's decision to shoot down the Indian Air Force's choice of the A330 multirole tanker transport for the initial competition. More on that soon.