US and Qatar sign wide-reaching strategic deals
15 May 2025
During US President Donald Trump’s trip to Doha, the US and Qatar signed a series of high-value agreements spanning aviation, defence and other technologies, deepening economic and strategic ties between the two nations.
Headlining the visit was a landmark aircraft order by Qatar Airways for up to 210 Boeing aircraft – including the 787 Dreamliner and the 777X models – to be delivered over the next seven years.
Qatar Airways group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer hailed the deal as a “critical next step” for the airline, praising its existing Boeing fleet and stating that the new order would deliver the “cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation”.
The White House valued the deal at approximately $96bn, though Trump quoted figures as high as $200bn during the announcement. Either way, it marks the single largest order for Boeing’s 787 series to date and will provide much-needed support for the US firm’s ailing share price.
In addition to the Boeing deal, US and Qatari officials finalised a variety of defence contracts with US firms, including a $2bn deal with General Atomics for unmanned aerial vehicles and a $1bn deal with Raytheon for its latest counter-drone technology – making Qatar its first international buyer.
The US meanwhile signed a statement of intent for potentially $38bn in future investments in the air defence, maritime security and other support infrastructure for the US’ Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
A series of technology partnership agreements were also signed, including a $1bn Qatari joint venture with US firms in the emerging field of quantum technologies.
The cumulative value of these and related deals is projected to exceed $1.2tn, reflecting a broader and long-term economic engagement between the two countries, though it remains unclear where the full measure of this figure is expected to come from.
The expansive new deals will build on already-strong existing US-Qatar economic ties, including Qatari investments in US energy projects and ongoing military sales valued at over $26bn.
There is also the possibility of Qatar gifting the US a $400m luxury Boeing 747-8 for use by Trump during his presidency as a replacement for the Air Force One fleet’s ageing 747-200Bs – a model that first entered service in 1971 – though the proposition has met with US political resistance.
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The request for qualifications (RFQs) was issued by the municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department (SRPD).
The bid submission deadline is 26 February.
The first scheme under the package is TF-16-C1, which involves upgrading and rehabilitating the stormwater system east of the Dubai Canal.
The second, TF-15-C2, will deliver stormwater links along Umm Suqeim Road to serve the Al-Barsha and Al-Quoz communities.
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Modon tenders Ras El-Hekma construction contracts
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Abu Dhabi-based developer Modon Holding has tendered several contracts as part of the first phase of development at Ras El-Hekma, a planned new city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
MEED understands that the tenders were issued in January.
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DP3 assets: covering 146 residential villas, 590 three-bedroom townhouses, 356 four-bedroom townhouses, a mall and other associated works.
Bids due on 23 February.
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Modon has accelerated development works at Ras El-Hekma this year. In January, MEED reported that Modon Holding had awarded a E£15bn ($316m) contract for the construction of a project at Ras El-Hekma.
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The announcement followed AD Ports Group’s signing of a shareholders’ agreement in January 2024 between its digital arm, Maqta Gateway, and Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation regarding their existing joint-venture company, Maqta Ayla.
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Chinese firm wins Ceer automotive supplier park deal
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