The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) fire units and related equipment to Qatar.
Under the estimated $9.9bn FMS, Qatar has requested 11 Patriot Configuration-3 modernised fire units, 11 AN/MPQ-65 radar sets, 11 AN/MSQ-132 engagement control systems, 30 antenna mast groups, 44 M902 launching stations, 246 Patriot MIM-104E guidance-enhanced missile-TBM (GEM-T) with canisters.
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Additional deliveries include ten PAC-3 test missiles with canisters, 11 electrical power plants (EPPII), eight multifunctional information distribution systems/low volume terminals (MIDS/LVTs), spare and repair parts, as well as personnel training and training equipment.
PAC-3 missiles will be used by Qatar to enhance its missile defence capabilities, further strengthening homeland defence, and also increasing its capacity for deterrence from against a wide range of regional threats.
The potential sale will also contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by improving interoperability and regional security of its ally, which continues to serve as a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle Eastern region.
Raytheon and Lockheed-Martin will serve as prime contractors for the FMS programme.
PAC-3 is an advanced, high-velocity, hit-to-kill air defence missile designed to defeat incoming tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs), cruise missiles, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with direct, body-to-body impact.
The missile is currently in service with 12 nations worldwide, including the US, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, and has also proved its effectiveness during the Iraq conflict in 2003.
Image: A US soldier conducting maintenance check on a PAC-3 missile launcher in Osan, South Korea. Photo: courtesy of US Army.
