WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — A $1.5 billion defense contract will provide the United States and its allies with Patriot missiles, major defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced on Friday.
“The contract includes PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE interceptor deliveries for the US Army, and Foreign Military Sales of PAC-3 interceptors, associated equipment and spares for the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates,” Lockheed Martin said.
Patriot missiles intercept tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft.
The deal comes as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates seek to bolster their ballistic missile capabilities and anti-ballistic missile defense amid concerns over the Iran nuclear deal and Tehran’s activities in the region.
In May 2015, the United States and Gulf Arab countries agreed to expand defense cooperation.
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. The company is principally engaged in research, design, development, manufacture and sustainment of advanced technology systems and services.
