One of the world’s largest weapons manufacturer says Qatar may postpone its $6 billion purchase of two missile-defense systems, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

The newspaper quoted Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson as saying Qatar would still eventually buy the system once the Gulf state balances its budget. Qatar is expecting to run a QR46.5 billion deficit this year, although defense industry watchers have previously said there were no signs that the country was trimming its military spending to cut costs.