UAE issues formal request to buy KC-46A tanker, says Boeing

[Zarvan]

The KC-46A Pegasus deploys the centerline boom for the first time here on Oct. 9, 2015. (John D. Parker/Boeing)

SINGAPORE – The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a surprise customer for KC-46A Pegasus, having formally made a request to buy the tanker aircraft, according to manufacturer Boeing.

Speaking to reporters at a media event on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogueregional security summit in Singapore, Jeff Shockey, Boeing’s vice president of global sales for defense, space and security, confirmed that the Middle Eastern kingdom had issued a letter of request for three tankers.

The UAE now joins the list of potential markets for the KC-46A, alongside other interested parties such as Indonesia, Israel, Norway, Qatar and NATO.

Japan has already joined the U.S. Air Force in selecting the KC-46, with a request for four aircraft approved by the U.S. State Department in 2016 with two having already since been contracted through the Foreign Military Sales program.

The UAE’s request to buy the KC-46A is a surprise, given it currently already operates three Airbus A330 multirole tanker transports. It currently operates about 150 Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Fighting Falcon and French-built Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets, and it has a further 30 Dassault Rafales on order.

It is unclear if the UAE is holding a competitive tender for additional tankers. Airbus referred Defense News to the customer when asked if the European manufacturer has received interest from the UAE about additional tankers.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/...mal-request-to-buy-kc-46a-tanker-says-boeing/

 

[Wilhelm II]

150 f16 is not true UAE have about 80

 

[The SC]

150 f16 is not true UAE have about 80

It is for the whole fleet:
"It currently operates about 150 Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Fighting Falcon and French-built Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets, and it has a further 30 Dassault Rafales on order."

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

Do they need a tanker to feed the tanker?

 

[Wilhelm II]

It is for the whole fleet:
"It currently operates about 150 Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Fighting Falcon and French-built Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter jets, and it has a further 30 Dassault Rafales on order."

Reading speedy have this problems

 

[airmarshal]

Do they need a tanker to feed the tanker?

Yes. Also to bomb Yemen using American weapons. Thats the way of keeping Americans on their side by spending their money so American defence industry earns profits.

After all, all these wars in Middle East are unnecessary, unprovoked and are good business ventures for America.

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

Yes. Also to bomb Yemen using American weapons. Thats the way of keeping Americans on their side by spending their money so American defence industry earns profits.

After all, all these wars in Middle East are unnecessary, unprovoked and are good business ventures for America.

Shhhh...dont say the truth

 

[BHarwana]

This means UAE is going to buy F-35.

 

[Mithridates]

This means UAE is going to buy F-35.

well usually having a tanker means extended combat radius.

 

[BHarwana]

well usually having a tanker means extended combat radius.

Yes it means that but KC-46A means F-35 can come in future as well. This is just an opinion.