US clears $4.5bn sale of KC-46A aerial tankers to Qatar

Boeing workers rejected a contract offer, with 64% of the professional unit and 72% of the technical unit voting against it. Nearly 88% and 90% of these units, respectively, authorized a strike, which could begin after the current contract expires on Oct. 6. The union cited concerns over jobs moving out of state, quality and safety issues, and salaries not keeping pace with inflation and the aerospace job market. Boeing and the union will resume negotiations.

The Pentagon seeks low-cost munitions to replenish stockpiles depleted by the Iran war. Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin unveiled new cost-effective systems. Experts say these won't provide a short-term fix. RTX secured a $22.9B Tomahawk missile contract. Framework agreements signal demand but aren't guaranteed contracts. Production delays and supply chain issues persist. Lockheed's PAC-3 ACE, a cheaper missile, won't enter production until 2030.

The European Commission closed its antitrust probe into RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada unit after the company revised its contractual clauses, addressing concerns about access to critical inputs and services for spare parts suppliers. The changes were deemed sufficient to remove potential barriers.

The US approved a potential $4.5B sale of 4 Boeing KC-46A tankers to Qatar, including engines, equipment, and support. The deal aims to enhance Qatar's military cooperation with the US and allies. Congress can still block or modify it. Boeing is the principal contractor. Qatar hosts a key US military base and is a major non-NATO ally.

AerCap Holdings N.V. (AER) delivered its 100th Boeing 787 aircraft and reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, raising its full-year EPS guidance. Boeing (BA) reported mixed Q2 results, with revenue up but a core loss per share. Boeing secured a $636.11 million U.S. Army contract. AerCap outperforms financially but faces interest rate risks, while Boeing has a large backlog but struggles with manufacturing issues. Institutional sentiment differs between the two companies.

The US approved a $4.5B sale of four Boeing KC-46 tankers to Qatar, including engines and missile protection systems. The deal aims to enhance Qatar's defense capabilities and regional security. Qatar would be the fourth customer for the KC-46, joining the US, Israel, and Japan. The Qatar Emiri Air Force currently lacks aerial refueling capabilities.