US approves possible $4.5 billion sale of KC-46As, equipment to Qatar

The U.S. Department of State approved a possible $4.5 billion Foreign Military Sale to Qatar for the purchase of aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment.

Qatar’s government requested to buy up to four KC-46As, eight PW4062 turbofan engines, 10 AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers, 15 Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure systems and 8 LAIRCM system processor replacements, according to a Thursday release .

The proposed sale also includes “non-major defense equipment,” such as precision navigation, transportation and airlift support, personnel training and training equipment and other related logistical and program support items, per the statement.

“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 release reads.

The potential sale is meant to support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives through assisting in Qatar’s security. The U.S. government statement describes the country as a “strategic regional partner” that continues to be an “important force” for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

Principal contractors for the envisioned deal include Boeing, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, RTX Corporation and Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The proposed sale’s implementation will not require any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to Qatar, the announcement says.

“At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale,” the statement says. “Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.”

The KC-46A provides aerial refueling support to the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and partner nations and has greater refueling, cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities than the aging KC-135s.

The announcement comes as questions persist surrounding the security features of a Qatari-donated Air Force One aircraft that has been modified for U.S. presidential use. President Donald Trump began using the new jet in July and has since announced it will be “maxed out” for upgrades.

Cristina Stassis is a reporter covering stories surrounding the defense industry, national security, military/veteran affairs and more. She previously worked as an editorial fellow for Defense News in 2024 where she assisted the newsroom in breaking news across Sightline Media Group.

美国国务院批准了一项可能价值 45 亿美元的对外军售，目标是向卡塔尔出售空中加油机及相关设备。

根据周四发布的消息，卡塔尔政府请求购买至多四架 KC-46A 加油机、八台 PW4062 涡扇发动机、十台 AN/ALR-69A 雷达告警接收机、十五套大型飞机红外对抗系统用 Guardian 激光发射组件以及八个 LAIRCM 系统处理器替换件。

声明称，拟议的军售还包括“非主要国防装备”，例如精确导航、运输和空运支持、人员培训和训练设备以及其他相关的后勤和项目支持项目。

新闻稿称：“拟议的军售将增强卡塔尔应对当前和未来威胁的能力，提高其国防能力，增强其与美国和盟军的互操作性，并加强卡塔尔在地区安全中的战略作用。”

此次潜在军售旨在通过协助卡塔尔维护安全，支持美国的外交政策和国家安全目标。美国政府声明称卡塔尔是“战略区域伙伴”，并且仍然是中东政治稳定和经济发展的“重要力量”。

设想中的交易的主要承包商包括波音公司、普惠军用发动机公司、RTX公司和诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司。

公告称，拟议的军售实施不需要任何额外的美国政府或承包商代表前往卡塔尔。

声明称：“目前，美国政府尚未发现与此次潜在交易相关的任何抵消协议提案。任何抵消协议都将在买方和承包商之间的谈判中确定。”

KC-46A 为美国空军、海军、海军陆战队和伙伴国家提供空中加油支持，并且比老旧的 KC-135 具有更强大的加油、货物运输和航空医疗后送能力。

此前，外界对卡塔尔捐赠的、经改装供美国总统使用的“空军一号”专机的安全性能仍存有疑问。唐纳德·特朗普总统于7月开始使用这架新飞机，并已宣布将对其进行“全面”升级。

克里斯蒂娜·斯塔西斯是一位记者，主要报道国防工业、国家安全、军事/退伍军人事务等领域的新闻。她曾于2024年在《防务新闻》担任编辑助理，协助Sightline媒体集团旗下新闻编辑室处理突发新闻。