The Mecca pact explained, tankers for Qatar, and CENTCOM’s new drone force

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In this edition of the Middle East Defense Digest, Breaking Defense Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou dives into a potential $4.5B sale of four KC-46A refueling aircraft to Qatar, as well as an anticipated surge in Turkish Hürjet exports and the US military’s new multinational, multi-domain drone task force known as Falcon Strike.

Helou then turns to Breaking Defense Contributing Editor Riad Kahwaji for regional insight into the newly-announced trilateral defense pact linking Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. This new arrangement could energize all three nations’ defense industries, as Helou reported this week.  




Classification
Region
West Asia, South Asia
Analytical Domain
Strategic
Primary Category / Secondary Categories
Political-Military / Weapons & Equipment
SALUTE Report
Size
4 KC-46A refueling aircraft
Activity
Potential sale to Qatar and establishment of a trilateral defense pact
Location
Qatar · Saudi Arabia · Turkey · Pakistan
Unit
U.S. Air Force, Turkish defense industry, Saudi defense industry, Pakistani defense industry
Time
Current
Equipment
KC-46A refueling aircraftHürjet aircraft
Summary

Qatar is pursuing a $4.5 billion deal for four KC-46A refueling aircraft. A trilateral defense pact has been established between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, potentially boosting their defense industries. Additionally, the U.S. military is forming a multinational drone task force named Falcon Strike.

Key Facts
  • Qatar is considering a $4.5B purchase of four KC-46A refueling aircraft.
  • Turkey is expected to increase exports of Hürjet aircraft.
  • A new trilateral defense pact has been announced involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
  • The U.S. military is establishing a multinational drone task force called Falcon Strike.