Washington: The US State Department announced on Thursday the approval of a potential sale of KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment to Qatar, with an estimated cost of $4.5 billion.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Qatar has requested the purchase of up to four KC-46A aircraft, eight PW4062 turbofan engines including spares, ten AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers with additional units as spare, fifteen Guardian laser transmitters for Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures systems, and eight replacement processing units for these systems.

The comprehensive deal also encompasses missile warning sensors, cartridge-operated and fuel-powered devices, control interface units, user data module cards, electronic warfare database support, a KIV-77 encryption module, KY-100M encryption stations, AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders, an AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe transceiver, a precision navigation system, and computer software identification numbers.

The primary contractors identified for the deal include Boeing, Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, RTX, and Northrop Grumman. The State Department emphasized that the proposed sale aligns with US foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of a key regional partner, contributing to political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.