US approves $4.5 billion aircraft sale to Qatar

The US Department of State has announced that the Trump administration has approved the sale of KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft, along with related equipment and support services, to Qatar for an estimated value of $4.5 billion.

According to the statement, Qatar has requested to purchase up to 4 KC-46A aircraft. The package also includes a total of 8 PW4062 turbofan engines, including 4 spares, as well as radar warning receivers, infrared countermeasures systems, and various support services.

It was reported that the sale has been submitted to the US Congress for the approval process. The Department stated that the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region, but will instead support US national security by "helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner."

Qatar hosts the Al-Udeid Air Base, known as the largest US military base in the Middle East. According to information in the source, the base was targeted by Iran several times during the conflicts that began on February 28.

It was also noted that the Gulf country had previously gifted a luxury passenger aircraft to US President Donald Trump, and that the aircraft in question is now being used as the presidential plane.