WASHINGTON, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Monday announced new sales of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) to Qatar.
According to a statement published on the official website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the State Department has made a determination approving the sale for an estimated cost of 300 million U.S. dollars.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Monday, saying the Qatari government has requested a sale of 5,000 APKWS II Guidance Sections.
Also included were 5,000 MK66-4 2.75 inch rocket motors, 5,000 high explosive warheads for airborne 2.75 inch rockets, inert MK66-4 2.75 inch rocket motors, inert high explosive warhead for airborne 2.75 inch rockets, support equipment, spares, training, publications, engineering technical assistance, program management technical assistance, logistics support services, and other related elements of program support.
"This proposed sale supports the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States," read the statement. "Qatar is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Persian Gulf region. Our mutual defense interests anchor our relationship and the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) plays a predominant role in Qatar's defense."
According to the U.S. statement, Qatar intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces by providing additional capability to its new AH-64E aircraft fleet.
