So, how come France, Germany, Spain, and England don't buy the airbus as a tanker?
The UK has bought it (well, leased it - FSTA), Germany already has newish A310s, Spain has 707s, and France has KC-135Fs. France will probably buy it, and Spain might if it can find the money.
...most tactically capable, and, most importantly, reliable on-task performance, won the day...
And upon what do you base your assessment EW? What about risk - development nearly completed vs paper airplane, Boeing's engineering capacity? Any comments there?