(JustPatriots.com)- In a deal made public during the United States and Iran World Cup soccer match in Doha, Qatar, on November 29, the Biden administration approved a potential sale of anti-drone systems and other weapons to Qatar for an estimated $1 billion.
The law mandates that the potential sale be disclosed. According to the U.S. State Department, Qatar’s government asked to purchase 10 “Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS) System of Devices” anti-drone systems.
In addition, the Qatari government requested 200 “Coyote Block 2 interceptors,” which are drone-defeating weapons, and a plethora of associated tools and logistical and technical support services.
Iranian-backed proxies in the area pose hazards to Qatar and other Gulf Arab governments.
The State Department noted that this proposed sale would assist the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by contributing to the security of a friendly country that continues to be a critical force for political stability and economic prosperity in the Middle East.
By supplying electronic and kinetic defeat capabilities against unmanned aircraft systems, it was claimed that the proposed sale will also “enhance Qatar’s capability to face existing and future threats.”
The State Department stated that Qatar would have no trouble incorporating these goods and/or services into its armed forces. They maintain that the underlying military balance in the region will not be changed by “the proposed sale of these weapons and support.”
Qatar and the United States agreed to a $12 billion arms deal in 2017 that allowed Qatar to buy up to 36 F-15 fighter fighters and other American weapons. The prospective sale, believed to be worth $21 billion at the time, was approved in 2016 by former President Barack Obama.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in 2017 over allegations that the country supported terrorism.
