Aircraft

Although it will be dedicated purely to military tasks, and potentially also to duties such as carrying humanitarian relief supplies, the Qatar Emiri Air Force's second Boeing C-17 strategic transport will be delivered later this year in the colours of national flag carrier Qatar Airways.

Pictured emerging from the paint shop at Boeing's C-17 production facility in Long Beach, California, Qatar's civilian-liveried transport will follow a military-marked example which was handed over to the Gulf state's air force during a ceremony conducted at the site on 11 August.

© Michael Carter/Airliners.net
Qatar's next C-17 is the first to carry civilian markings

Aircraft MAB is the second of two C-17s currently on order for Qatar, which is the first Middle Eastern customer for the type. Boeing is still in discussion with the United Arab Emirates over its planned acquisition of four of the giant airlifters.