Democrats will be known for Iraq surrender; Time now for homeland defense
7-23 QATAR SEEKS TO DEVELOP DEFENSE INDUSTRY
ABU DHABI — Qatar has decided to develop a defense industry that
would generate indigenous capabilities in maintenance and production.
Qatar government sources said the emirate would institute regulations
that require foreign bidders for military contracts to guarantee
coproduction and technology transfer. The sources said Doha would invite
foreign militaries and companies to train a local work force in defense
technology.
"We don't simply want to buy weapons off the shelf," a government source
said. "That model is outdated and just reinforces a dependency. We want
every major military project to increase our technological base."
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The sources said Qatar has been negotiating with several governments and
companies to launch the development of a defense industry in the emirate.
They said India has already agreed to establish military production and
maintenance facilities in Qatar as part of weapons deals.
"I believe Qatar wants to break the norm and open the region for new
arms suppliers outside the usual Western market that has been dominating the
area for a long time," Abdel Wahab Al Qassab, a strategic adviser at the
Qatar Armed Forces Strategic Studies Center, told the Washington-based
Defense News. "India is regarded by most Arab countries as a technologically
advanced country with a lot of potential."
Under the accord reached on June 22, India would supply Qatar with
technology, expertise, training and weaponry. India is a major supplier of
labor to the Gulf Cooperation Council state.
The sources said Qatar has been discussing similar arrangements with
Britain, France and the United States. They said an agreement could be
reached over the next few months.
Qatar has been impressed by the strides made by the neighboring United
Arab Emirates. The UAE has established two aerospace and defense centers in
Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
"We are really at the initial stage, but we could progress quickly
toward moving to defense production," the government source said.
