OTTAWA, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Boeing (NYSE:BA) Co BA.N , which is locked in a trade dispute with the Canadian government, has applied to stay in the race to supply Canada with 88 new fighter jets, the government said on Thursday.
Boeing is one of five potential contenders to supply the jets, including U.S. rival Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT) LMT.N .
Canada is due to release the exact specifications for the jets next year and officials say the deal is worth between C$15 billion ($11.80 billion) and C$19 billion.
Reuters revealed last week that the U.S. aerospace giant, which angered Canada by launching a trade challenge against planemaker Bombardier Inc BBDb.TO , would remain in the race. of the potential contenders is obliged to put forward their jets in the competition.
The government said the firms eligible to take part are:
* Lockheed-Martin, which makes the F-35 stealth fighter
* Boeing, which makes the F-18 Super Hornet
* Airbus EAD.PA , which makes the Eurofighter
* Saab AB SAAB.b.ST , which makes the Gripen
* Dassault Aviation AVMD.PA , which makes the Rafale
($1 = 1.2709 Canadian dollars)