US clears sale of four KC-46 tankers to Qatar for $4.5 billion

The US government has cleared a possible foreign military sale of four Boeing KC-46 tanker aircraft to Qatar, worth roughly $4.5 billion. According to the notice, the State Department published its endorsement on 20 August, opening the door to formal negotiations between Washington and Doha.

The package includes Pratt & Whitney PW4062 engines and spare parts, plus Northrop Grumman's Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure missile protection system, the notice said. If the deal goes ahead, Qatar would become the fourth country to fly the KC-46, joining the United States, Israel and Japan.

The State Department said the sale would strengthen Qatar's role in regional security and improve interoperability with US and allied forces. It also called Qatar an important partner for stability in the Middle East.

Qatar currently has no aerial refuelling capability of its own. Doha had earlier shown interest in the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, but that interest never turned into a firm order. Fleet data cited in the report shows two MRTT options linked to the Qatar Emiri Air Force lapsed unexercised in 2019. An Airbus official said in 2020 that the pandemic had contributed to the deal falling through.

Qatar's air force already flies a sizeable fighter fleet: Eurofighter Typhoons, Dassault Mirage F1s and Boeing F-15QAs. The F-15QA formed the basis for Boeing's newer F-15EX, now in production for the US Air Force and Israel.

State Department approval does not guarantee the sale will go through. Qatar must still finalize a contract before the purchase can proceed.