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The U.S. airplane maker is questioning how the Danes decided the Super Hornet would cost significantly more than the F-35, pointing out U.S. Defence Department budget information indicates otherwise.

Denmark would be paying about US$83 million for each F-35, according to reports, compared with US$122 million for a Super Hornet.

Alan Williams, former procurement chief for the Department of National Defence (DND), said Boeing seems to have a case. It would also be able to mount a legal challenge under the Canadian system.

“The current data have the U.S. government putting the fly-away cost of the F-35 as about $99 million, so if I’m Boeing and see that someone is claiming $83 million, then I would know that’s not accurate,” said Williams, who oversaw Canada’s entry into the F-35 program.

“If the same thing happened in Canada, they would also know such a price is fictitious.”

Denmark will buy 27 F-35s. The Danes say the aircraft offers more value than the Super Hornet in terms of military, strategic, economic and industrial criteria.

But Boeing insists Denmark inaccurately assessed the plane’s cost and capability.

“We’re taking this step because there’s too much at stake for Denmark and, potentially, other countries considering the Super Hornet,” said Debbie Rub, a Boeing vice-president.

Peter Christensen, the Danish defence minister, has said Boeing would be given the information it requested. The Danish procurement was “a very thorough and transparent process,” he added.