New member (found this forum via google), and am glad to be here.
I think this is yet another example of market globalization: Airbus bidding and winning (temporarily) a USAF Tanker contract; a European consortium bidding a VIP Helo contract in the US; CASA making a 235 variant for the US Coast Guard.
I submit that for major players (Airbus, Boeing and the like), they're reaching farther and farther for sales. For countries/areas that relied on the aforementioned producers, they are now wanting to keep the money 'close to home', thereby aiding a domestic/regional manufacturer.
Just my humble opinion.
Best,
czar