Continued investment in improving aerial defense capabilities has enabled Qatar to play an integral role in the expansion and development of the Gulf Co-operation Council's (GCC's) integrated missile defense shield.

Over the last decade, Qatar has made significant acquisitions to enhance its air and missile defense capabilities.

In 2014, it agreed to purchase 10 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missile systems from US defense technology contractor Raytheon (now known as RTX) for $2.4 billion.

The medium-to-long range, ground-based air defense system, which entered service with Qatar in late 2018, detects, tracks and engages unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, and short-range or tactical ballistic missiles.

Qatar in July 2019 also reached a $2.2 billion agreement with the United States to purchase National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems 2 (NASAMS 2).

NASAMS is a mobile, medium-range air defense system that can engage 72 targets simultaneously in active and passive modes.

The system is armed with three launchers, each carrying up to six missiles -- including those that can actively seek targets beyond visual range.

NASAMS 2 is capable of using Link 16, a communication system for transmitting and exchanging real-time tactical data among the US military, NATO and other allies.

Meanwhile, in November 2012, the United States approved the purchase of a series of anti-ballistic missile defense Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) units for $6.5 billion by Qatar.

Qatar also maintains the Rapier, a British surface-to-air missile, and the Roland, a Franco-German mobile short-range surface-to-air missile, as a part of its missile defense system.

Qatar has also been developing its counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) capabilities.

In December 2022, the United States approved a $1 billion sale of 10 Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Defeat System of Systems (FS-LIDS), including 200 Coyote Block 2 interceptors and Counter Unmanned Electronic Warfare Systems (CUAEWS), as well as radar and other equipment, and contractor support services.

LIDS is a complex network of sensors, cameras, electronic warfare equipment, radios and radar, meant to target small- to medium-sized drones.

Commitment to GCC security

Qatari investment in its own security infrastructure is critical to the collective defense of the GCC, an economic and political coalition that includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

GCC member states and the United States in May 2015 at a summit at Camp David renewed their mutual commitment to promote regional peace and stability.

A joint statement underscored the importance of collaboration on an integrated ballistic missile defense system, including radar, early warning, and surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites.

The collective commitment sought to ward off the threats posed to member states by growing regional tensions.

The US Department of Defense has since led two working groups with GCC member states, including Qatar, in February 2023 with one on air and missile defense and another on maritime security.

"Due to the clear threat to regional security and stability, preventing Iran from holding the region at risk through its proliferation and direct use of advanced ballistic missiles, maritime weapons, and unmanned systems is of the utmost importance," a Pentagon statement said in February.

"The United States and GCC members agreed on the shared objectives of improving collective early warning, streamlining co-ordination against shared threats, and building towards regional integration," it added.