Qatar to buy $10bn of US defence equipment

Thursday, 8 November 2012 10:42 AM

The specifications of the latest order include 11 PATRIOT Configuration-3 Modernised Fire Units.

Qatar is looking to buy US$9.9bn worth of missiles and defence equipment from the US, Pentagon officials announced, just days after it placed an order for US$6.5bn worth of missile-defence systems.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Tuesday of the possible sale to Qatar. The US$9.9bn deal “will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of an important ally which has been, and continues to be, a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the statement said.

The specifications of the latest order include 11 PATRIOT Configuration-3 Modernised Fire Units, 11 AN/MPQ-65 Radar Sets, 11 AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Systems, 30 Antenna Mast Groups, 44 M902 Launching Stations, 246 PATRIOT MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-TBM (GEM-T) with canisters, 2 PATRIOT MIM-104E GEM-T Test Missiles, 768 PATRIOT Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missiles with canisters and 10 PAC-3 Test Missiles with canisters.

Earlier this week, US authorities notified Congress of the potential sale to Qatar of two Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) fire units, 12 launchers, 150 interceptors and other military equipment worth an estimated US$6.5bn. THAAD is a US Army system designed to shoot down short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

Gulf countries are spending billions of dollars on defence procurement amid increasing tensions with Iran over its nuclear programme.

Foreign weapon sales by the United States tripled last year to US$66.3bn as Gulf states sought to build up military supplies amid growing tensions with the Islamic Republic, according to a study by the US Congressional Research Service.

The prime contractors for the Qatar orders will be Raytheon Corporation in Andover, Maryland, and Lockheed-Martin in Dallas, Texas.

Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon's number-one supplier by sales, in August said Saudi Arabia and close regional partners had shown interest in purchasing its advanced missile-defence system.

“Look, all of the [GCC] nations have an interest,” said Dennis Cavin, a company vice president for army and missile-defence programmes.

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Posted by: gulam Friday, 9 November 2012 2:12 PM[UAE] - uk

yes u can do what ever u feel is good,but to do real good is to to do something,to the best of your ability for betterment of humanity.

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Posted by: Tutto Thursday, 8 November 2012 12:56 PM[UAE] - Qatar

So stupid to waste money on these systems. The Israelis have everything like this and more and they still cant stop missiles coming in from Gaza. Use the money for something that works!

Posted by: Telcoguy Thursday, 22 November 2012 8:44 AM[UAE] - UAE

@Tutto, IDF claims that Iron Dome has an effectiveness of 90%
Number of casualties seem to confirm the system is working quite well.

You may want to read more here:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2012/11/israel_iron_dome_defense_how_has_missile_defense_changed_battle_in_gaza.html

Or, more likely, you may want to claim that is all lies and ignore it.

Have fun either way

Posted by: tony Friday, 9 November 2012 4:52 PM[UAE] - france

@Qatari, It is God who feeds us, not "your land".

Posted by: Qatari Friday, 9 November 2012 1:49 AM[UAE] - Qatar

Da Dude, Qatar is a well diversified country, it has invested in the country and abroad, it sends billions on education, health, infrastructre + it is the highest spender of scientific research among other middle eastern countries. Comparing the percentage of the gdp being spent on weapons is nothing compared to the rest. I am not jumpy I am more aware of how my country spends its billions. If your still not convinced go to google news and search for Qatar, choose whatever reliable resource you like and educate yourself.

Posted by: Da Dude Friday, 9 November 2012 12:27 AM[UAE] - USA

@Qatari, but you didn't dispute what he/she said. You just brought out your wallet and showed us how big it is. What was written was that no matter what country, it hardly ever stops anything. So it is better for Qataris to use the money for something that works like scientists. Nobody said you can't buy them. You're so jumpy.

Posted by: Qatari Thursday, 8 November 2012 5:17 PM[UAE] - Qatar

Using the word stupid reflects the environment which you were raised in. I am wondering what kind of weapons your country has, stop pointing fingers when hand is dirty. This is our country and its our money, we have the right to buy weapons and protect our land, same land that feeds your children.

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