Washington  - The US Congress's investigative arm has ruled that the Pentagon should nullify the awarding of a 35-billion-dollar contract to EADS for building the next generation of air refuelling tankers, CNBC television reported Wednesday.

The decision scored a victory for Boeing, which lost the bid but asked the congressional Government Accountability Office to examine the awarding of the contract.

Boeing alleged that the Air Force failed to inform the aircraft manufacturing giant that it preferred a larger plane. EADS, in partnership with Northrop Grumman, won the contract. (dpa)