Qatar signs 240-million-euro air defense deal with EADS

DOHA (AFP) - Qatar said on Sunday it signed a 240-million-euro air defence deal with the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS).

The contract, which will be carried out over three years, was signed by EADS and the Qatari military after being announced on Wednesday during a visit to Paris by the emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

His visit -- the first by an Arab head of state since French President Nicolas Sarkozy took office on May 16 -- was also marked by Qatar Airways ordering 60 Airbus 350s from the European aircraft manufacturer, an EADS subsidiary.

The 16-billion-dollar (12-billion-euro) deal was the largest contract announced to date for the plane.

Sunday's contract was for radar-based protection and safety measures for Qatari airspace.