US fighter jet deal, ship visit show military links to Qatar

Dubai, June 15

A deal between the United States and Qatar for F-15 fighter jets and a visit by two American warships to Doha are showing the vital military links Washington maintains to the country now at the center of a dispute with Arab nations.

Qatar has signed what it described as a USD 12 billion for the fighter jets. In November, the US military announced a similar fighter jet deal for USD 21.1 billion. It’s unclear if they are the same deal.

Meanwhile, Cmdr. Bill Urban of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet told The Associated Press that the USS Chinook, a coastal patrol ship, and US Coast Guard Cutter Baranof both were in Doha for “a routine port visit” today.

Qatar is home to 10,000 American troops and a major US military base.