European airplane maker EADS may submit a new offer to supply the US air force with 179 tanker jets, the company says.

Last week, EADS angrily pulled out of the race accusing the Pentagon of skewing its requirements to favour its US rival Boeing. The order is worth between 35 and 50 billion euros.

EADS, which had issued a joint bid with US firm Northrop Grumman, says it will only submit a new proposal if it stands a fair chance. It says a key factor is a significant extension of the period within which to prepare and submit a proposal.

The tendering of the contract has been taking years. Two years ago it was awarded to Northrop and Airbus, an EADS subsidiary. The contract's conditions were changed after Boeing filed a complaint with the US Government Accountability Office.