US, UAE sign missile-defence system deal
31 Dec 2011
The US and the UAE have signed a deal for a missile-defence system in the Persian Gulf country, according to the Pentagon.
The $3.48 billion agreement was signed on Christmas Day, press secretary George Little said. It was, however, not clear why the deal was announced on Friday.
Under the pact, the US will deliver two anti-missile batteries, 96 missiles, radars as also training and logistics support to the UAE, the Pentagon said.
"Acquisition of this critical defence system will bolster the UAE's air and missile-defence capability and enhance the already robust ballistic missile-defence cooperation between the United States and the UAE," the Pentagon said.
The two countries "enjoy a strong bilateral defence relationship, driven by common interests in a secure and stable Gulf region," Little said in a statement.
According to Raytheon Company, it would provide two radars and services through 2018 to the country. "This $582.5 million contract for the radars is part of the first sale of THAAD missile systems to an international customer," it said in a statement.
