The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of A/N FPS-132 Block 5 early warning radar (EWR) and associated equipment to Qatar.
Under the estimated $1.1bn FMS, Qatar has requested supply of one A/N FPS-132 Block 5 EWR system along with prime mission equipment package, technical and support facilities, communication equipment, encryption devices, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, as well as other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The procurement of an air defence system is expected to offer a permanent defensive capability to the Qatar Peninsula, and enhance protection of the country’s well-being and economic infrastructure.
In addition, the system will help strengthen Qatar’s ability to defeat current and future threats in the region and reduce dependence on the US forces.
The potential sale also directly contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the US by enhancing the security of Qatar, which continues to serve as an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle Eastern region.
Raytheon will serve as prime contractor for the FMS programme.
The A/N FPS-132 is a solid-state, phased-array long-range radar designed to provide detection, attack warning, and attack assessment of sea-launched ballistic missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) launched against the western continental US and allied nations.
Capable of operating in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band, the radar can also support space surveillance network (SSN) by offering radar surveillance and tracking data on newly-launched and orbiting space objects.
Three A/N FPS-132 radars are currently located at Beale Air Force Base in California, US, Thule Air Base in Greenland and RAF Fylingdales in UK.
