Qatar to Announce Local Defense Production Hub With US, UK and France
Qatar will soon announce a local defense production hub developed with a regional partner plus the United States, the United Kingdom and France, the country’s Minister of State for Defence Affairs said Monday at the Global Security Forum in Doha.
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said: “We are partnering with a regional partner, in addition to other partners such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, to make sure either we do local protection or we are investing in some of these companies.”
A New Regional Security Initiative
In the same address, Al Thani announced a new regional partnership covering air defense, counter-drone measures and cybersecurity against ballistic missiles, drones and cyberattacks. He did not name the partners involved, as the Diplomatic Wire reported.
The announcements come against the backdrop of the Iran war and Iranian attacks on Gulf energy sites, which have already rattled oil markets. Qatar was forced to shut much of its Ras Laffan LNG complex after hostilities began, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has faced restrictions. The minister said Qatar’s partnership with Washington had prevented more than 90 percent of attacks, and said the Al Udeid airbase, which hosts US forces, continues to be developed.
Self-Reliance as Strategy
The hub marks a push toward defense self-reliance for a country that has long depended on foreign military acquisitions. “Mediation doesn’t mean that we should not be ready for any defensive action from our side,” Al Thani said, stressing that Qatar’s mediation efforts do not diminish its commitment to defending its territory.
The move fits a wider pattern of US allies deepening defence cooperation, from the Gulf to East Asia. Officials expect to reveal formal partnership details in a coming announcement, as the region’s security architecture continues to shift under the pressure of the ongoing conflict.
