Qatar Buys Four C-17 Globemasters to Double Fleet

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PARIS -- Boeing announced Monday that Qatar will buy four of the remaining five C-17 Globemaster cargo aircraft that remain once the company shut down its production line.

Qatar introduced two C-17s to its fleet in 2009 and bought another two in 2012. The 2009 purchase made it the first Gulf nation to fly the giant cargo aircraft.

Adding four more C-17s will double Qatar's fleet.

Gen. Ahmed Al-Maliki, deputy commander of the Qatar Emiri Air Force, said in a release announcing the purchase that Qatar is looking forward "to doubling our fleet to enhance worldwide operations."

 

The announcement occurred on the first day of the Paris Air Show here as Airbus continues to try and sell its A400M to countries looking to expand their cargo lift capabilities. The A400M has had a leading role at the air show with daily performances.

Boeing has ended production of the C-17 and will shut down its C-17 production line in 2015. Foreign nations have looked to purchase 10 of the C-17 Globemasters that Boeing produced without a buyer before production started.

One remains following Qatar's announcement as Australia has bought two, an unidentified nation bought two and Canada bought one.

-- Michael Hoffman can be reached at Mike.Hoffman@military.com

 

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