{"id":32305,"date":"2022-11-30T11:58:42","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T11:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/11\/30\/us-approves-sale-of-anti-drone-systems-to-qatar-during-world-cup-match\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:43:12","slug":"us-approves-sale-of-anti-drone-systems-to-qatar-during-world-cup-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/govcon\/2022\/11\/30\/us-approves-sale-of-anti-drone-systems-to-qatar-during-world-cup-match\/","title":{"rendered":"US approved sale of anti-drone systems to Qatar during World Cup match"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The Biden administration on Tuesday approved a $1 billion arms sale to Qatar in a transaction unveiled during halftime of the key World Cup 2022 match in Doha between Iran and the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The State Department announced it had signed off on Qatar\u2019s purchase of 10 defensive drone systems, 200 interceptors and related equipment just as the second half of the US-Iran game began. Qatar, along with other Gulf Arab states, faces threats from Iranian-backed proxies in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department said in a statement the sale would \u201csupport the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will \u201cimprove Qatar\u2019s capability to meet current and future threats by providing electronic and kinetic defeat capabilities against Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and\/or services into its armed forces,\u201d the department said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. went on to defeat Iran by a score of 1-0 to advance to the knockout round.<\/p>\n\n\n\t