A U.S.-linked early-warning radar system in Qatar—reported to cost roughly $1.1 billion and described by some sources as capable of detecting long-range missile launches up to 5,000 kilometers—has become a focal point in the region’s latest military escalation after Iranian forces claimed they struck it.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Saturday that its recent missile strikes destroyed the U.S. AN/FPS-132 radar system stationed near Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base. State-aligned reporting quoted the IRGC as saying the radar had a detection range of up to 5,000 kilometers and was equipped with specialized technology designed to counter ballistic missile threats. The same reporting referenced earlier U.S. defense documents valuing the system at approximately $1.1 billion.
What the system is and how it came to be in Qatar
The AN/FPS-132 is an advanced long-range radar designed for missile-warning and space-surveillance missions. In 2013, U.S. defense officials formally notified Congress of a potential sale of an AN/FPS-132 Block 5 early-warning radar to Qatar, with an estimated total value of $1.1 billion.
That notification outlined the strategic rationale for the sale, citing the goal of strengthening the security of a U.S. partner and enhancing regional stability by providing Qatar with a permanent, high-end defensive capability. The proposed package included not only the radar itself but also associated equipment, training, technical support, and logistics.
Raytheon was identified as the principal contractor, and the system was described as a phased-array radar capable of supporting both missile-defense operations and space-surveillance missions across a wide geographic area.
Why this matters now
If the IRGC’s claim proves accurate, the loss or disabling of the radar would represent a significant degradation of the U.S. and allied missile-defense posture in the Gulf. The system’s long detection range is intended to provide early warning of missile launches far beyond immediate borders, giving decision-makers additional time to assess threats and initiate interception or defensive responses.
The claim also highlights how high-value surveillance and defense assets—once assumed to be relatively secure—are increasingly becoming central targets in modern conflict narratives. Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the region, making any reported strike on nearby critical infrastructure a development with broader strategic implications.
Iranian statements have framed the alleged strike as part of a wider retaliation against U.S. and Israeli actions, raising concerns about further escalation that could draw in multiple countries across the region.
Uncertainties and next steps
Independent confirmation of the radar’s condition—whether destroyed, damaged, or still operational—remains limited in publicly available reporting. Claims made during active or escalating conflicts often diverge from verified realities, and outside assessments can take time to emerge, if they become public at all.
For now, regional governments and international observers are likely to monitor developments closely, watching for follow-on military actions or diplomatic responses. The claim alone, regardless of its ultimate accuracy, underscores the heightened risks surrounding advanced missile-defense deployments on foreign soil and the growing volatility surrounding U.S. and allied assets in the Middle East.
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