businessinsider.com
Qatar will buy 24 Typhoon fighter jets worth $8bn from
the United Kingdom as the Gulf state continues to stock up on high-tech
weaponry.
The deal between the two countries was signed in Doha
by Qatar's Defence Minister Khalid bin Mohammed
al-Attiyah and his British counterpart, Gavin Williamson.
It is the biggest order for Typhoon fighters in more than
a decade.
"These formidable jets will boost the Qatari
military's mission to tackle the challenges we both share in the Middle East,
supporting stability in the region and delivering security at home,"
Williamson said.
The deal for the Typhoon jets also
includes training of air force personnel, the statement said.
The two countries also agreed to create a Joint Operation
Squadron, the start of a partnership between Qatar's air force and Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF).
"The squadron tackles all air combat operations,
ensuring combat readiness for all Qatari and British pilots and
technicians," said the statement.
"It will have a notable role in operational coverage
and aerial security during 2022
World Cup events."
Qatar said on Thursday it would buy 12 Dassault Rafale
fighter jets from the French aviation company in a deal worth $1bn.
Both deals come as the blockade against Qatar has gone on for more than six
months.
On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and
the United
Arab Emirates said they would cut all diplomatic and economic ties
with the Gulf nation.
The countries accused Qatar of having ties to terrorism,
strengthening its relations with Iran, and meddling in their internal affairs.
Qatar has denied all allegations against it.
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