Qatar To Buy Patriot Missiles and 24 Apache Helicopters

Qatar will buy US Patriot missiles in a major arms deal worth $11 billion, as Washington awaits a decision by the Gulf state on a lucrative fighter jet contract.
The sale will provide Qatar with roughly 10 batteries for Patriot systems, as well as 24 Apache helicopters and 500 Javelin anti-tank missiles.
Qatar was investing in missile defense systems to counter what it sees as the threat from Iran.
The weapons came as Qatar weighs proposals in a fighter jet competition, with US aerospace firm Boeing vying against British BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation of France.
It was also the first time Qatar had acquired Patriot missiles, which other Gulf countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have purchased in the past.
Qatar hosts a vital hub for the US military, the Combined Air Operations Center.
Qatar wants to buy a new fleet of modern fighter jets. BAE is offering the Typhoon, while Dassault Aviation hopes Qatar will select the Rafale aircraft. Boeing is promoting F-18 Super Hornets and F-15 fighters for the contract.
Qatar currently has an aging fleet of 12 Dassault Mirage warplanes, but it remains unclear when the country will choose a new fighter. Some analysts have speculated the government may split the contract, opting for both US and European aircraft.
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