Amid Gulf rift, Qatar signs $12 billion deal to buy F-15 jets from US

The sale will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the United States and Qatar

Reuters 

F15, US fighter jet
A US F-15 fighter jet

Qatar's Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday the country signed a deal to buy F-15 fighter jets from the United States for $12 billion.

The deal was completed despite the country being criticised recently by US President for supporting terrorism.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and representatives from were set to meet Wednesday to seal the agreement, a source familiar with the deal told Bloomberg News reported the deal was for 36 jets.

The sale will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the US and Qatar, the said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Mattis and Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Khalid al-Attiyah also discussed the current state of operations against the ISIS and the importance of de-escalating tensions so all partners in the region can focus on next steps in meeting common goals, the added.

In November, the United States approved the possible sale of up to 72 F-15QA aircraft to for $21.1 billion. Boeing Co is the prime contractor on the fighter jet sale to the Middle East nation.

Boeing declined to comment.

Trump on Friday accused of being a "high-level" sponsor of terrorism, potentially hindering the US Department of State's efforts to ease heightening tensions and a blockade of the nation by Arab states and others.

Amid Gulf rift, Qatar signs $12 billion deal to buy F-15 jets from US

The sale will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the United States and Qatar

The sale will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the United States and Qatar

Qatar's Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday the country signed a deal to buy F-15 fighter jets from the United States for $12 billion.

The deal was completed despite the country being criticised recently by US President for supporting terrorism.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and representatives from were set to meet Wednesday to seal the agreement, a source familiar with the deal told Bloomberg News reported the deal was for 36 jets.

The sale will increase security cooperation and interoperability between the US and Qatar, the said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Mattis and Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Khalid al-Attiyah also discussed the current state of operations against the ISIS and the importance of de-escalating tensions so all partners in the region can focus on next steps in meeting common goals, the added.

In November, the United States approved the possible sale of up to 72 F-15QA aircraft to for $21.1 billion. Boeing Co is the prime contractor on the fighter jet sale to the Middle East nation.

Boeing declined to comment.

Trump on Friday accused of being a "high-level" sponsor of terrorism, potentially hindering the US Department of State's efforts to ease heightening tensions and a blockade of the nation by Arab states and others.

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