"This proposed sale will provide Qatar with military capabilities to protect its naval forces and nearby oil/gas infrastructure from air and missile threats," the release explained. "Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces."
The small, lightweight missiles that are used by several US allies contain infrared homing for guidance to targets, and are so named because they rotate in flight, much like a bullet fired from a rifle.
Raytheon Missile Systems in the US state of Arizona will provide the weapons in a contract with an overall value of $260 million. In addition, the deal will require multiple trips by US government and private contractors to help integrate the weapons into Qatar’s military and provide other technical support over a 36-month period.
Concern among Gulf Nations over the recent Iranian nuclear deal has prompted a rush to upgrade military capabilities. The United States and Russia are the two major suppliers of defense equipment to the region and brisk competition between the two superpowers is anticipated in the years ahead.
