Boeing will be busy helping the U.S. Air Force in the Middle East as the result of three foreign military sales contracts for training services and support worth more than $800 million. One of the contracts, from 2019, is worth about $240 million over a five-year contract period. This previously unannounced contract will support the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) with program management, maintenance, and aircrew training for F-15QA aircraft. The F-15QA (see figure) is an advanced variant of the F-15 aircraft with enhanced speed, range, and payload capabilities superior to any aircraft in its class. Boeing is expected to deliver 36 of the fighter jets to Qatar beginning in 2021.
Another contract, not to exceed $68 million, is to provide maintenance and logistics support for the QEAF during pre-delivery training for the F-15QA aircraft. As part of this contract, the QEAF will send aircraft pilots and weapons systems operators to the U.S., where aircrews will train to operate the F-15QA aircraft in advance of the QEAF receiving the fighter jets. Training will be held near Boeing’s F-15 production facility and will include in-person instruction, simulation, and flying operations for the QEAF students. After the training, Boeing will establish and operate an aircrew and maintenance training center for the QEAF at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, through 2024.
A third contract, valued at more than $500 million, will provide the QEAF with in-country spare parts and equipment in support of the F-15QA aircraft and logistics support once the aircraft are delivered to Qatar. “The tailored training and sustainment delivered by our team, coupled with Boeing’s platform expertise, allows us to deliver a holistic solution to our Qatari customer so they can optimize the full capability of their fleet with high availability rates,” said Tim Buerk, director of Middle East defense services for Boeing. “We look forward to our continued partnership with Qatar and further supporting their mission readiness needs.”