U.S. State Department approves Qatar for missile buy

WASHINGTON, April 22 (UPI) -- Qatar is seeking the procurement of Rolling Airframe Missiles from the United States through the Foreign Military Sales program.

The proposed deal, approved by the State Department, is for 252 tactical missiles, two Rolling Airframe telemetry missiles and associated equipment and support.

The value of the deal would be an estimated $260 million.

"Qatar is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Persian Gulf region," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a notification to Congress. "This proposed sale will provide Qatar with military capabilities to protect its naval forces and nearby oil/gas infrastructure from air and missile threats.

DSCA is the agency that manages the Foreign Military Sales program.

The principal contractor for the missiles would be Raytheon. Implementation of the sale would require multiple trips by Raytheon and U.S. government personnel to Qatar over a three-year period to conduct technical reviews, system integration, training and maintenance support.