US to service Qatar F-15s for $1.1bn despite standoff
The United States will provide support services for Qatar’s F-15QA fighter aircraft program.
The US Congress was notified of the possible sale by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday.
The deal is related to design, construction and other services for the Boeing-made F15s.
"Qatar is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Persian Gulf region," the US State Department said.
The new maintenance and training facilities will come with improved "cyber security services, mission critical computer resources, support services, force protection services."
Qatar is home to the largest American air base in the Middle East, al-Udeid, where some 10,000 military personnel are stationed.
Since June, the Arab country has been under a trade and diplomatic embargo imposed by US allies, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which accuse Doha of supporting terrorism.
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"Our mutual defense interests anchor our relationship and the Qatar Emiri Air Force plays a predominant role in Qatar's defense," added the department despite the standoff.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has tried to facilitate a dialogue between the two sides but to no avail this far.
Doha, meanwhile, argues that the other Arab states are meant to “bully” the Persian Gulf country.
During his first overseas trip, US President Donald Trump signed acontroversial deal and a number of other major agreements with the Saudi monarch in Riyadh.
The $110 billion arms deal signed by Saudi King Salman and Trump is a component of $350 billion in economic and military investments between the two countries over the next 10 years.
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