US approves up to $4.5 bln KC-46A tanker sale to Qatar【US approves up to $4.5 bln KC-46A tanker sale to Qatar】The US State Department said on the 20th it has approved a proposed foreign military sale to Qatar of up to four KC-46A aerial refueling tankers and associated equipment and services, valued at up to $4.5 bln. Qatar’s request includes engines, radar-warning receivers, infrared countermeasures and related support services. The State Department said the sale would strengthen the security of a US strategic regional partner, support US foreign policy and national security objectives, improve Qatar’s defence and interoperability with US and allied forces, and bolster its regional strategic role. The KC-46A, built by Boeing on a 767 airframe, is the US Air Force’s latest tanker; first delivery occurred in Jan 2019. Boeing describes the platform as providing refueling plus multi-mission combat capabilities and data transmission functions.