US greenlights potential $4.5B sale of four KC-46A refueling aircraft to Qatar

BEIRUT — The US State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale of four KC-46A refueling aircraft to Qatar in a deal worth $4.5 billion.

“The proposed sale will increase Qatar’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing its defense capabilities and interoperability with U.S. and allied forces and reinforcing Qatar’s strategic role in regional security,” the department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs said today in a congressional notification announcing the potential deal.

The potential foreign military sale announcement is not a done deal, as units and price tags can change as negotiations continue. It’s also possible that lawmakers could step in to stymie the sale.

In addition to the four planes, the deal would also include the sale of eight PW4062 turbofan engines, half of which will be installed in the aircraft and the other half to be kept as spare parts; ten AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers; fifteen Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GTLA) for the aircraft’s infrared countermeasures; and eight Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) system processor replacements.

The deal also includes missile warning sensors, Identification Friend or Foe transponders, navigation systems, other spare parts and training aids.

The potential deal comes as the Middle East grapples with the fallout amid the ongoing conflict between US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. The Gulf states have been heavily attacked by Iran’s missiles and drones over the past six months, salvos that didn’t stop even during the recent ceasefire between the US and Iran.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, the US has approved a number of foreign military sales to other Gulf states, including precision-guided weapons to Saudi Arabia worth $2 billion and counter-unmanned aerial systems to Kuwait worth $2 billion.

The principal contractors to complete the potential KC-46A deal with Qatar would be Boeing, Pratt and Whitney, RTX and Northrop Grumman.

“Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Qatar,” the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs said in its announcement.