Qatar recently signed an agreement to purchase four additional C-17 Globemaster III airlifters from Boeing [BA], the company said on Monday.
The four upcoming C-17s will join the Qatar Armed Forces’ existing fleet of four airlifters.
“We are very pleased with the C-17s from Boeing and look forward to doubling our fleet to enhance worldwide operations,” Gen. Ahmed Al-Malki, deputy commander of the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QAF) and chairman of the Airlift Committee, said in a statement during the 2015 Paris Air Show.
“We’re confident the additional C-17s will significantly increase the QAF’s ability to support the people of Qatar and their allies with transport, airdrop and humanitarian missions. Boeing stands ready to support, sustain and maintain Qatar’s expanded fleet of C-17s to keep their planes mission ready,” Tommy Dunehew, vice president of International customer service and sales for Boeing Military Aircraft, added.
Qatar was the first Middle East customer to order C-17s. It received two in 2009 and two in 2012.
C-17s are capable of various missions including transporting troops or heavy cargo, performing airdrops, aeromedical evacuations, and delivering humanitarian aid.