US Department of State, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) within the scope of the program $1.96 billion worth of assets to Qatar MQ-9B UAV, ammunition and related equipment approved the sale. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the necessary certificate for the sale in question 26 on March 2025 He presented it to Congress.
This sale Qatar's increase in defense capabilities and contribution to regional security Qatar is targeted within the scope of the approved sale General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, L3Harris, Boeing and Leonardo will be able to sign contracts with large defense industry companies such as.
Scope and Content of the Agreement
Estimated cost 1.96 billion dollars The sale aims to provide Qatar with a wide range of defence technology. Under the contract, Qatar will receive:
MQ-9B UAV and Munitions
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8 MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
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200 pieces of KMU-572 JDAM (GBU-38 or GBU-54) guidance kit
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300 BLU-111 500 lb aircraft bombs
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110 AGM-114R2 Hellfire II missiles
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8 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training missiles (CATM)
Sensor and Radar Systems
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10 Lynx AN/APY-8 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
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10 L3 Rio Grande communications intelligence (COMINT) sensor packages
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SeaSpray 7500 AESA radar
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Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Multi-Spectrum Targeting System (MTS)
Communication and Cryptographic Systems
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Link-16 KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminals (STT)
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KY-100M narrowband/wideband terminals
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Satellite communications (SATCOM) earth station antennas and modems
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Secure satellite communication systems
Electronic Warfare and Support Systems
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SAGE Electronic Surveillance Measures system
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AE-4500 Electronic Support Measures
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AN/DPX-7 IFF transponders (Identification Friend or Foe)
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M299 Longbow Hellfire launchers
In addition to these elements, Qatar, training, technical support, maintenance and logistics services will also take.
Statement from DSCA Officials
In a statement made by DSCA, it was stated that this sale was made by Qatar will increase intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capacity, will enable more effective intervention against land and sea targets. emphasized.
Authorities made the following statements:
“The proposed sale will enhance Qatar’s capacity to counter current and future threats, providing timely intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, target acquisition, and counter-targeting capabilities against land and sea targets. This capability will act as a deterrent against regional threats and will primarily be used to strengthen the country’s defenses.”
The statement also said that Qatar will not have any difficulties in integrating the purchased equipment into its armed forces specified.
Qatar's Defense Spending and Regional Influence
Qatar in recent years Focused on creating modern air and naval forces by increasing defense spendingThis agreement with the US is Qatar's Strengthen UAV capabilities and contribute to regional security Aims.
Especially MQ-9B SeaGuardian Provision of UAVs to Qatar long-range reconnaissance and attack capability It will make money. Hellfire missiles and JDAM guidance kits combined with the Qatar air force precision strike capability on strategic targets will increase significantly.
This sale, It is expected to strengthen defense cooperation between Qatar and the US and affect the balance in the Gulf region..
