Qatar Commits to Patriot SAM Batteries, Javelin Missiles and Apache Attack Helicopters

Qatar has committed itself towards purchasing over $11 billion worth of arms from the United States. Around $7 billion will be spent on Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile Air Defense Systems, another $3 billion on Apache attack helicopters and the remainder towards Javelin anti-tank missiles.

Around 10 batteries of Patriots with over 350 missiles are expected to be delivered and will include both Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) and PAC-3 variants. The PAC-3 variant was designed specifically to intercept incoming ballistic missiles, including those that Iran could potentially use in a conflict.

Qatar will join Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as countries in the region that have all acquired the Patriot system. Qatar's addition is another step towards a regional missile defense network using common equipment.

All four countries will also operate the Apache with Qatar's decision to acquire 24 AH-64 attack helicopters. Qatar will join Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates by purchasing 500 man-portable, fire-and-forget Javelin missiles.

However, Qatar has yet to make a decision on which fighter aircraft it will acquire. The F-15, F-18, Typhoon and Rafale are all competing to replace the French Mirage fighters that are currently being used by Qatar.


http://www.dsca.mil/news-media/news-archive/us-qatar-sign-letters-11-billion-helicopters-defense-systems

By Los688 [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Qatar Buys Boeing 737 AEW&C, AH-64E and NH-90 Heicopters

Qatar continues to strengthen its armed forces with new acquisitions worth over $20 billion. The latest deals includes three airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems mounted on Boeing 737 aircraft, making it the fourth country to select the type after Australia, South Korea and Turkey.

The aircraft were originally developed for Australia under project Wedgetail and feature a non-rotating radar in contrast to the rotodome found on E-3 Sentry aircraft. They will join the C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft that Qatar previously acquired from the United States.

Qatar has significantly boosted its helicopter fleet with the purchase of 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing and 22 NH90 helicopters from NH Industries, consisting of 12 NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) variant and 10 NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) maritime variant.

Qatar Buys 62 Leopard II Tanks and 24 PzH2000 Self-Propelled Howitzers from Germany

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann from Germany has signed a contract with Qatar for the delivery of 62 Leopard II Main Battle Tanks and 24 PzH2000 Self-Propelled Howitzers / Guns.

Qatar wants to modernize its armed forces due to increasing tensions recently in the middle east and the new acquisitions are intended to achieve that goal. Other purchases such as the Javelin missiles from the United States are part of the effort. 

The contract, including related equipment, training and other services, is estimated to be €1.89 billion or about $2.5 billion. Last year, Qatar had expressed interest in acquiring up to 200 Leopard 2 tanks.

The Leopard 2, depending on version weighs over 60 tons and carries a 120 mm smoothbore gun as its main armament. It is operated by a crew consisting of the driver, commander, loader and gunner.

The tracked PzH2000 is a 155 mm and 52 caliber Self-Propelled Howitzer with support for Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI), where 5 rounds are fired in sequence and impact simultaneously.

The PzH2000 has a very high maximum rate of fire of up to 13 rounds per minute. The diesel-powered vehicle is operated by a crew consisting of the driver, commander and gunner.

Qatar currently operates the French AMX-30B2 tanks and South African G5 towed 155 mm howitzers that were acquired back in the eighties and will have to be replaced.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, in cooperation with other German defense companies such as Rheinmetall, is now looking at selling hundreds of Leopard 2A7 tanks and Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Saudi Arabia.


http://www.kmweg.de/de/en/fileadmin/user_upload/pdfs/Press_Releases/Press_Release_Army_modernization_Qatar.pdf

By Denniss [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

By Sandstein [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Qatar looking to buy 500 FGM-148 Javelin missiles

As required, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the United States Congress of a possible sale of FGM-148 Javelin missiles and related equipment to Qatar.

The proposed Foreign Military Sales deal if realized would include:

• 500 FGM-148 missiles
• 50 command launch units
• battery coolant units
• missile simulation rounds
• Javelin weapon effects simulators
• spare parts
• support equipment
• personnel training and equipment for training
• logistics support

The entire package is estimated to be worth about $122 million.

The FGM-148 Javelin is a man-portable, fire-and-forget, anti-tank missile. Its specifications are:

• operated by a crew of 2
• a length of 1.2 m
• a missile length of 1.1 m
• a diameter of 142 mm
• a missile diameter of 127 mm
• an effective range of 2500 m
• a maximum range of 4750 m
• a weight of 22.3 kg
• a missile weight of 11.8 kg
• a 8 kg tandem-shaped charge High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead

The missile is guided by an imaging infrared seeker.

Unlike older generation missiles, which were often wire-guided and left the launch crew vulnerable during attack, the Javelin crew can move as soon as the missile is fired, which improves survivability.

The Javelin can be used against armored vehicles using a top-attack flight profile, where armor usually is the thinnest, or against buildings and low-flying helicopters using a direct-attack flight profile.


http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2013/Qatar_12-62.pdf

By United States Army [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

By SGT MAURICIO CAMPINO, USMC [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons