Ever since the illegal siege of Qatar began last June, the country has been working extra hard to improve its defence systems and readiness.

Towards the end of last year, Qatar had made its intention clear by entering into a mega $8bn deal for Typhoon fighter jets with the UK.

Barely a few weeks later, Pentagon confirmed that US company Boeing had won a $6.2bn order from the country for 36 F-15 fighter planes.

Just a few months ago, the US  approved another arms deal with Qatar worth $1.1bn despite the ongoing blockade.

The latest in the series of arms purchases happened yesterday, when the Qatar armed forces signed an agreement to buy air defence system from US firm Raytheon at the headquarters of the Qatari military attache in Washington DC, according to Gulf Times.

The agreement was signed by Commander of the Emiri Air Defence Forces HE Brigadier General Hamad bin Mubarak Al Douai and Raytheon Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr Tom Kennedy, reported Qatar Tribune.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Qatari Military Attache in Washington Staff Brigadier Yousef Mohammed Al Kuwari.