Qatar interested in Boeing C-17

By Jim Wolf

FARNBOROUGH (Reuters) - The United States is clearing the way for Qatar to buy Boeing's (BA.N) C-17 transport aircraft, a step toward more coordinated military and humanitarian airlift capability worldwide, a senior U.S. Air Force official said Wednesday.

Qatar "has expressed an interest to acquire" the C-17, Bruce Lemkin, deputy under secretary of the Air Force for international affairs, said in an interview at the Farnborough International Airshow.

A high-wing, four-engine, T-tailed aircraft with a rear-loading ramp, the C-17 can carry large combat equipment and troops or humanitarian aid between continents to small, austere airfields worldwide.

Qatari officials could not immediately be reached for comment. They are negotiating to buy two C-17s with an option for two more, a person familiar with the matter said.

This person said Qatar is interested in being able to respond to humanitarian crises such as tsunamis and earthquakes in what he described as a new way for a Muslim nation.

"They want to be able to fly in with something that has an Arab flag on its tail," said the person, who asked not to be identified.

Boeing's discussions with potential customers are confidential and they "will announce their intentions on their own timetable," said Dan Beck, a spokesman for Boeing's defence business.

Lemkin said other, unspecified countries also are showing interest in the C-17 as well as in Lockheed Martin Corp's (LMT.N) much smaller C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter.