The United Arab Emirates has issued a request to the United States to buy three tankers "Pegasus" KC-46A produced by Boeing rather than continue their European supplier Airbus.

A KC-46A Pegasus connects with an F-35 Lightning II in the skies over California Jan. 22, 2019 (Picture source: US Air Force)

Jeff Shockey, Boeing’s vice president of global sales for defence, space and security, confirmed the request letter had been submitted by the UAE. The model, the KC-46A Pegasus, is widebody, multirole tanker that can refuel all US, allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refuelling procedures.

The UAE now joins the list of potential markets for the KC-46A, alongside other interested parties such as Indonesia, Israel, Norway, Qatar and NATO.