A general view of the exhibition at the 4th International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex) at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, yesterday.

By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter


An estimated $11.2bn worth of defence deals were signed between the US and Qatar at Dimdex 2014, Colonel James L. Weingartner, Defence Attache US Embassy Doha said yesterday.
“Obviously, we are very pleased with these announcements. We look forward to working closely with Qatar Armed Forces to build our partnership capacities with this key Gulf ally,” the senior defence official told Gulf Times.
Qatar yesterday announced defence deals worth $23bn with 20 international companies yesterday at the conclusion of the Dimdex 2014.
The biggest contracts were bagged by American companies, including for the Patriot air and missile defense system worth QR27.5bn; and contracts with Boeing to buy 24 Apache helicopters for QR8.9bn and three early warning aircraft for QR6bn.
The American firm Lockheed Martin was also awarded a contract for QR1.5bn for ‘training at air force academy,’ while the US Ordinance was awarded a weapons contract for QR7m.
Colonel Weingartner clarified that the Lockheed Martin Air Academy agreement was separate, which he classified as a direct commercial sale. “The government sales were for the Patriot, the Apache helicopter and the Javelin.”
The Javelin is a US-made man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile.
“On behalf of the United States, I would like to express my thanks to HH the Emir for his patronage for a very successful Dimdex 2014,” he added.
After the announcements, there was a celebratory mood at Raytheon Dimdex stand, which is the company that builds the Patriot system.
Qatar will now join Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE and Israel as some of the other countries in the Middle East that also reportedly have the Patriot systems.
Raytheon’s Business Development & Strategy official Michael H. Wood told Gulf Times that the combat-proven Patriot was the world’s most advanced air and missile defense system. “The system can counter threats from tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft, and is continuously upgraded to keep ahead of evolving threats,” he said.
Earlier at Dimdex 2014, Philip Dunne, UK’s Minister for Defence equipment support and Technology visited the various pavilions of British companies.
“I am delighted to return to Qatar. We value highly our close defence and security relationship with the Qatari Armed Forces. UK companies have rightly identified Qatar as an important market in which to do business. The significant number of defence and security companies at Dimdex 2014 makes clear the value we place on our relationship with Qatar. I am pleased to see the Royal Navy in attendance, highlighting the contribution they make to regional security,’’ Dunne said.
French Defence Minister Jean Yves Le Drian had also visited the Dimdex and similarly taken a round of the French company stalls.