The U.S. State Department on Tuesday approved a package of potential arms sales worth €966 million to Qatar, including drone air defense systems, ammunition and training of military personnel.
Specifically, the U.S. government has pre-authorized the military sale to the Qatari Executive of the Fixed, Slow, and Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS) as well as related equipment upon delivery of the required certification from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The Government of Qatar has requested the purchase of ten FS-LIDS, which includes 200 Coyote Block 2 interceptors. Also included are the Counter Unmanned Drone Electronic Warfare System (CUAEWS), Coyote launchers, Ku-band Multi-function Radio Frequency Radars (KuMRFS).
Also included in the pre-sale are advanced air defense command and control (FAAD C2), communications equipment, software delivery and support or personnel training, the State Department said in a statement.
«This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to enhance the security of a friendly country that remains an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,» the missive released by the U.S. Executive wields.
«The proposed sale will enhance Qatar’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing electronic and kinetic defeat capabilities against unmanned aerial systems. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these items and services into its Armed Forces,» it added, assuring that the proposed sale «will not alter the basic military balance in the region.»
