US Approves $4.5 Billion Sale of KC-46A Tankers to Qatar

The US State Department has approved a $4.5 billion sale of four Boeing KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment to Qatar.

The proposed Foreign Military Sale aims to give the Qatar Emiri Air Force its own aerial refueling capability, enhancing its combat fleet that includes Boeing F-15QAs, Dassault Rafales, and Eurofighter Typhoons.

The package includes up to four KC-46As, eight Pratt & Whitney PW4062 engines, 10 AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers, and secure communications equipment, among other items.

The State Department stated that the proposed sale would support US foreign-policy and national-security objectives by strengthening the security of a major non-NATO ally.