WASHINGTON: The US State Department has approved a nearly $2 billion defence deal with Qatar, including advanced military equipment such as surveillance drones, precision-guided bombs, and radar systems, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
According to DSCA, the agreement, officially worth $1.96 billion, includes long-range maritime surveillance drones and hundreds of missiles and bombs.
The agreement includes the sale of eight MQ-9B drones, 500-pound precision-guided bombs, radar systems, satellite communication systems, and advanced targeting equipment.
To ensure the effective use of the military hardware, the deal also provides training and technical support for Qatari personnel, according to the statement.
The DSCA, which oversees the sale of US military equipment to foreign nations, highlighted that the sale is aimed at enhancing Qatar’s surveillance and defence capabilities.
The equipment would help Qatar counter regional security threats and strengthen the protection of its territorial integrity.
According to reports citing US officials, the military sale would not disturb the balance of power in the region. They reassured neighbouring countries that the transaction is in line with maintaining regional stability.
According to the US State Department, the United States and Qatar have the following defence cooperation agreements: 2012 General Security of Military Information Agreement, 2013 Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, 2013 Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence, 2014 Defence Cooperation Agreement, 2016 Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement, and 2020 Maritime Implementing Agreement.
Two major American defence companies, General Atomics and Lockheed Martin, will spearhead the production and supply of the equipment.
