London ? The British government said Monday it had selected the European consortium led by EADS, the parent company of Airbus, to enter negotiations to provide a $24 billion military plane contract.

The Ministry of Defense said it believed the European consortium would offer the most value for money, disregarding a rival bid to provide a tanker fleet from a group involving Boeing Co. of the United States and Britain’s BAE Systems.

The ministry said it expected talks with the European group, which includes Rolls-Royce, Cobham and Thales, to “take a number of months” before it made a final decision.

EADS has offered a tanker based on its A-330 commercial jet, while Boeing, together with Serco and Spectrum Capital, had planned to sell a military version of its 767 jetliner. The jets, built in the Seattle area, would be modified into tankers at Boeing’s plant in Wichita.

Defense Minister Geoff Hoon said the competition was “keenly fought” but that EADS’ proposal offered the best prospective solution for the armed forces, taxpayers and British industry.