EADS confident over U.S. air tanker deal

PARIS, June 16 (Reuters) - European aerospace group EADS (EAD.PA) said it was confident over its recent win of an air tanker contract with the U.S. Air Force that has been contested by rival Boeing (BA.N) and is under scrutiny.

EADS added it was awaiting conclusions of a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) into the contract.

"We are confident that we have won five competitive tenders in a row and we are patiently waiting for the GAO's conclusions. We are convinced that we have the best product," EADS Chief Executive Louis Gallois told reporters at a news conference near Paris.

EADS and its partner Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) had initially won a large air tanker refuelling contract deal this year with the U.S. Air Force, but Boeing raised a protest over the deal.

The Government Accountability Office is due to rule by June 19 on the affair. (Reporting by Matthias Blamont)