Defense News magazine: Doha to recruit militants

CAIRO – 17 December 2017: Qatar started a huge air power buildup, raising questions about its ability to improve its technology amidst the crisis with the Arab Quartet.

Defense News magazine reported that Qatar had signed a deal with Britain to export 24 Typhoon fighter jets, after two consecutive deals with the U.S. to purchase 36 Boeing F-15QA fighters. France also had its share, signing a deal for 24 Dassault Rafale fighter jets on the opening day of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference.

The magazine also mocks Qatar for its lack of armed forces personnel, which will lead to the recruitment of militants in order to compensate for staffing shortage.

“For decades, GCC states have concluded massive arms deals with the U.S. and other leading western countries as a form of premium insurance; the GCC helps keep western defense industry jobs, and in return, the West protects the GCC states from external threats,” said Yezid Sayegh, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center think tank.