The US State Department has approved a possible sale of up to four Boeing KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft to Qatar, potentially adding another international customer for the tanker derived from the 767.
The Foreign Military Sale, notified to the US Congress on August 20, has an estimated value of US$4.5 billion. As usual with such notifications, the figure represents a maximum package rather than necessarily the value of a future contract.
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Qatar requested four KC-46As together with eight Pratt & Whitney PW4062 engines, including four spares, and a substantial package of defensive systems, equipment, training, spare parts and logistical support.
The proposed configuration includes AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers and Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) equipment intended to protect the tankers against infrared-guided missiles.
Congressional notification is an important step in the US Foreign Military Sales process, but does not represent a signed aircraft order. Qatar can subsequently negotiate the final scope and value of the acquisition.
Fourth KC-46 customer
If the purchase proceeds, Qatar would become the fourth country to order the KC-46.
The US Air Force remains by far the largest customer and operator. Boeing said in May that 107 KC-46As were already operating with the service, part of a program that now has 168 aircraft under contract across its customers.
Japan became the first international customer and the first foreign operator of the Pegasus. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has continued expanding its fleet after initially ordering four aircraft.
Israel is the newest operator. Boeing delivered the country’s first KC-46 in May 2026, with six aircraft currently under contract. The Israeli aircraft have been adapted to local requirements and are known as “Gideon” in Israeli service.
Qatar has considered acquiring a modern tanker for more than a decade. In 2014, the country selected the Airbus A330 MRTT and was expected to acquire two aircraft, but the deal never resulted in deliveries and Qatar is no longer listed among the type’s customers.
The requirement resurfaced in 2020, when the UK Royal Air Force said it was helping the Qatar Emiri Air Force evaluate options for a potential tanker acquisition.
Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, RTX and Northrop Grumman were identified by the US government as the principal contractors for the proposed KC-46 package.
