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Statement of Intent strengthens UK-Qatar relationship
DB News: 18/09/2017 - 09:56
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has welcomed Qatar’s intention to proceed with the purchase of 24 Typhoon aircraft.
The Statement of Intent between the two countries strengthen the UK and Qatar’s defence relationship, with Fallon and his Qatari counterpart, Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah, also pursuing the opportunity to further enhance the security of all partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The Typhoon is a multi-role combat aircraft likely to be at the forefront of air power for many years.
Fallon said: “After a number of years of negotiations between our two countries, I am delighted to have been able to sign today with Qatar’s Defence Minister, this Statement of Intent on the purchase of 24 Typhoon aircraft by Qatar.
“This will be the first major defence contract with Qatar, one of the UK’s strategic partners. This is an important moment in our defence relationship and the basis for even closer defence co-operation between our two countries. We also hope that this will help enhance security within the region across all Gulf allies and enhance Typhoon interoperability across the GCC. The security of the GCC, of all Gulf countries, is critical to the UK’s own security.”