The US State Department has approved a possible $3 billion sale of Apache attack helicopters to Qatar, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement Thursday, Trend reports citing Sputnik.
"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Qatar of twenty-four (24) AH-64E Apache Attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.0 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today", the release said.
The authorities of Qatar asked earlier to purchase 24 of the AH-64E helicopters.
In 2016, the Boeing Company has won a two-thirds-of-a-billion dollar US Army foreign military sales contract to supply the Gulf Arab nation of Qatar with 24 Apache ground-support helicopters. According to the US Department of Defence, work on the contract is being implemented in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of 31 May 2020.
The Apache AH-64 helicopter is described as a flying tank. It is a helicopter designed to survive heavy attack and is armed to inflict massive damage on ground forces. The AH-64 is also designed to operate day or night, including in unfavorable weather and poor visibility.