UAE, Qatar Request Missile Defense Systems From U.S

Middle East nations UAE and Qatar have requested the sale of new missile defense systems from the U.S, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The two contracts, if approved, could be worth $8 billion. Both countries are requesting the Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system. Qatar’s request, estimated at $6.5 billion, includes “2 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Fire Units, 12 THAAD Launchers, 150 THAAD Interceptors, 2 THAAD Fire Control and Communications, 2 AN/TPY-2 THAAD Radars, and 1 Early Warning Radar (EWR)”. The smaller request from the UAE, estimated at $1.1 billion, is for 48 THAAD missiles and nine launchers, as well as support equipment and training. Recently, Lockheed announced a successful test of the system, where two ballistic missile targets and one cruise missile-like target were intercepted and destroyed.