Troubled Boeing misses defence expo

BOEING has shunned the Defence Systems Equipment International exhibition opening on Tuesday in London's Docklands on grounds of cost, despite pitching for British defence contracts worth billions of pounds.

The company, the world's biggest aircraft manufacturer, has been struggling to keep costs under control since the downturn in the industry that followed the terrorist attacks on the US. But many in the industry believe not attending is false economy.

'We take the view that Britain is very important to us. We have 10 facilities here with 1000 employees and our customers expect us to be there,' said a spokesman for Boeing rival Lockheed Martin, which beat Boeing for the massive Joint Strike Fighter project, in which Britain is a key player.

A stand would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds for a company the size of Boeing, but others see it as worthwhile. There are 960 exhibitors and 20,000 international visitors are expected.