The Dubai Ports World controversy might be getting a second wind, thanks to new Congressional scrutiny of a deal involving the sale to Dubai of the US plants of a British aerospace firm that manufactures military aircraft engine parts, reportedly including some for the Joint Strike Fighter. Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) released a letter this week demanding a tour of the Rincon, Ga., facility belonging to Doncasters Group Limited, which is entertaining a bid by Dubai International Capitol. “It is essential to ensure that all aspects of this proposed acquisition are thoroughly studied—from the potential national security implications of the purchase to the direct effects on the individual employees at Doncasters,” Barrow wrote in the letter.
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.