The U.S. signed an arms deal with Qatar to seal the latter's US$11-billion purchase of Apache helicopters and U.S. Patriot defense systems, the U.S. Defense Department announced through a statement.

On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel accompanied Qatar's Minister of State for Defense Affairs Hamad bin Ali al Attiyah in the signing of the arms deal at the Pentagon. The letters of offer signified Qatar's acceptance of the Patriot and Javelin defense systems and Apache helicopters, based on a Xinhua report cited by The Hindu.

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The transaction will give Qatar around 10 batteries for Patriot systems that will counter incoming missiles, 500 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 24 Apache helicopters. While Gulf countries Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia already have Patriot missiles, this is the first time Qatar bought such weapons, Sky News relayed.

In a statement, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said the deal signing symbolized the strong ties between the U.S. and Qatar in the defense and security arenas. The agreement will help improve the two nations' joint efforts in military campaigns.

During the meeting, Hagel also appreciated Qatar's support for the U.S. military in the country. Kirby recounted how Hagel visited Doha last fall and met with al-Attiyah for the renewal fo the U.S.-Qatar Defense Cooperation Agreement, which is said, is a "critically important" link in the region.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden welcomed the Qatari minister at the White House where they talked about Syria, Iraq, the Gaza violence, Libya, and other issues in the region. Biden said the arms deal signing will boost the ties between the U.S. and Qatar.

Experts said the weapons deal is the largest contract for the U.S. this year. It would help both countries strengthen its diplomatic and security relations to deal with the threat from Iran across the Gulf as Tehran beefs up its missile arsenal.

TagsUS-Qatar arms deal, Chuck Hagel, defense system, military campaign