(Reuters) - Britain has begun exclusive talks with planemaker Boeing Co (N:BA) for a multi-billion pound contract to replace its fleet of ageing surveillance aircraft for the Royal Air Force, the Financial Times reported.
The decision to move ahead with one potential supplier, expected to be confirmed ahead of a Nato conference this week, will likely spark a backlash from parts of the defense establishment as it has been done without a competitive process, according to the report.
Boeing did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.