According to a White House fact sheet, one of the agreements involves a $1 billion deal for Qatar’s acquisition of cutting-edge counter-drone technology. This makes Qatar the first international customer for Raytheon’s Fixed Site – Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), specifically designed to neutralise unmanned aircraft.
The second deal, valued at nearly $2 billion, involves the sale of MQ-9B aerial drones manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. The State Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the prospective sale in March, detailing a package worth $1.96 billion.
The package includes eight MQ-9B drones equipped with Seaspray maritime search radars, ground control stations, spare parts, and training. It also features a range of munitions, including AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, GBU-38 JDAM, GBU-54 Laser JDAM bombs, and GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs.
Additionally, both countries signed a statement of intent aimed at strengthening their security partnership. The statement outlines potential investments exceeding $38 billion, including support for burden-sharing at Al Udeid Air Base and the development of future defence capabilities related to air defence and maritime security.
