Trump on Qatar deal: Best American technology for $42 billion

Qatar and the United States have signed an agreement under which the emirate will purchase weapons and equipment worth $42 billion, said US President Donald Trump.

"Yesterday, we signed an agreement for Qatar to purchase 42 billion dollars worth of the finest American military hardware, including THAAD missile batteries, Pegasus refuelling aircraft, Desert Vipers light armoured vehicles, amphibious combat vehicles, the MQ9B and the Sky Guardian drones," the US president said, speaking to American troops at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to Sky News.

Notably, the deal underscores Washington’s continuing reliance on arms sales as a pillar of its Gulf strategy while also providing Qatar with enhanced defence capabilities amid an increasingly unstable regional security environment. It also reflects Doha’s ongoing efforts to diversify its military procurement while cementing its strategic alliance with the United States.    

By Khagan Isayev