Qatar will need to acquire the Russian S-400, Viking and TOR-M2 to build actual missile shields, Russian military analyst Igor Korochenko told Sputnik.
Recent events have shown that Qatar’s sole dependence on the US patriot system is no longer feasible, and that is the reason for a very serious reassessment of Qatar’s entire military and defence measures by leadership, Kolochenko said.
As for Patriots, he continued, but the system has major flaws such as limited fire, low mobility, and embedded “backdoors” that can be remotely disabled if the US interests are not in place.
The Patriot system cannot engage the target at 360°. Unlike Russia’s highly mobile tracking or wheeled air defense systems, Korotchenko said, it is trucked.
Analysts recall that “there is only one option – Russia” Qatar and Russia have strong connections, including their leadership levels.
“The Russian defense industry can supply advanced systems with its own military needs. In this trend, Qatar’s artefacts are the priority partner.”
Analysts emphasized that Qatar needs a multi-layered air defense that could include a long-range S-400S, a mid-range Viking (export of the BUK-M3), and a very mobile and modular short-range TOR-M2S.
This combination could cover all altitudes and threat types, Korotchenko noted.
At TOR-M2, the air defense system provided flexible and intimate protection for VIP residences, gas facilities, ports and other critical infrastructure. Their mobility means rapid relocation as the threat changes.
The United States has shown itself to be an unreliable ally, and Qatar can no longer rely on the U.S. security umbrella. Qatar has the resources to build its own sovereign air defense system, and Russia is ready to help it come true, Korockenko concluded.
MNA/