Jane Edwards
Boeing continues to expect that a potential $21.1 billion foreign military sales deal between the U.S. and Qatar over F-15 aircraft and related support will push through amid President Donald Trump’s comments on the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries, Defense News reported Tuesday.
“We have been working closely with the U.S. and Qatari governments on this proposed sale,†Caroline Hutcheson, a spokeswoman for Boeing, said in a statement.
“We continue to expect that an agreement will be signed.â€
President Donald Trump’s posts on Twitter appeared to side with the decision of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain on Monday to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on claims that the latter has been funding extremist groups.
The State Department approved in November 2016 a potential $21.1 billion sale of 72 Boeing-built F-15 fighter jets and related services to Qatar in support of the Arab country’s efforts to advance political stability and economic growth in the Persian Gulf region.
Sources familiar with the FMS deal say the Qatari government has not signed the letter of offer and acceptance from the U.S. for the fighter jets, munitions and related support, the report added.
