. . . while it strips out US parts to circumvent US law

EADS-CASA is trying to find alternative engines for the CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft it is selling the Chavez regime in Venezuela.

Because the US opposes the sale on national security grounds, EADS-CASA has been trying to circumvent US law by replacing nearly five dozen American-made parts in the CN-235 and C-295 planes bound for Chavez.

EADS-CASA risks losing the contract if it can't get rid of all the made-in-America components and find suitable substitutes. Russia's Antonov aircraft company could take EADS-CASA's place.

Today, Flight International is reporting, "Additional Antonov models could be considered if a delayed deal with EADS CASA for 10 C-295 transports and two CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft falls through.

"The Venezuelan navy says the company has found replacements for the majority of US-sourced equipment, but that their engines pose a major stumbling block."