The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), purchased from the United States by Qatar, provides the nation with critical air defense capabilities.

Qatar in July 2019 purchased the NASAMS with advanced medium-range air-to-air missile extended range (AMRAAM-ER) and Patriot fire units.

NASAMS is a medium-range air defense system designed to protect high-value assets and mass population centers against air-to-surface threats.

It consists of three primary components: the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar, the AIM-120 AMRAAM and the Fire Distribution Center.

Under the 2019 deal, Qatar became the first country to procure the AMRAAM-ER system and the 11th to purchase NASAMS.

The AMRAAM-ER is an extended range variant of the existing surface-to-air AMRAAM and is capable of intercepting targets at higher altitudes and longer distances.

The missile has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and a speed of Mach 4. Its active radar guides it to intercept a target beyond the visual range, at day or night and in a variety of weather conditions.

The AMRAAM-ER variant is a first-of-its-kind configuration incorporating a more robust 25.4cm rocket motor and a 25.4cm Control Actuator System.

It is about 40.6cm longer than the 3.7-meter-long conventional AMRAAM and about 7.6cm wider in diameter.

When fired from the NASAMS ground battery, AMRAAM-ER has a 50% increase in range and 70% increase in altitude compared to the older version.

While specific performance metrics for the AMRAAM-ER are classified, the missile is believed to have a range of about 160.9km.

The missile's design enables it to counter a wide array of aerial threats, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles, thereby providing a robust defense for Qatar's strategic assets.

The AMRAAM-ER's capabilities, combined with Qatar's location in the Arabian Gulf, makes the system critical to regional air defense.

Qatar's procurement of NASAMS and the integration of AMRAAM-ERs represent a significant advancement in its air defense capabilities.

These developments, coupled with ongoing international defense collaborations, position Qatar as a key player in maintaining security and stability in the Arabian Gulf region.