Qatar buys fighter jets from France

Qatar is set to purchase Rafale fighter jets and armoured vehicles from France after the two countries signed commercial contracts worth €12 billion ($14.1 billion) yesterday.

Under the deal, Doha agreed to purchase 12 more Rafale fighter jets – with the option of buying a further 36 – as well as committing to buying 490 armoured vehicles from the defence firm Nexter.

Qatar has previously purchased €6 billion ($7 billion) in weapons from France.

“In total, it amounts to nearly €12 billion which was signed today and which underlines the closeness of our economic cooperation,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

This deal comes almost six months after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar.

Throughout the blockade and boycott imposed on it this summer, Qatar has strengthened its military capabilities and secured deals with the United States, Russia and Britain.

Read: Official: Qatar very important partner for France

At a news conference alongside Macron, Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani insisted that his country’s position on the blockade “was very clear – to resolve this problem, if we saw problems between us and our neighbours – we should be at a table and speak honestly.”

Macron said: “Restoring stability to the Gulf is a priority for us because we have a lot of friends here … Our wish is that we find a quick resolution to today’s situation.”

France and Qatar have strong commercial and political ties, and in recent years deeper business interests have been promoted between the two countries, with Qatari investment in France reaching assets of around $10 billion.