Amir's Italian visit culmination of long-standing relationship: Qatari Military Attache

HE the Qatari Military Attache to Italy Major General (Navy) Hilal Ali Al Mohannadi said that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani represents the culmination of a long-standing relationship and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the military field.In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE Al Mohannadi said that His Highness the Amir's visit to Italy also serves as an opportunity to support and enhance strategic cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Italian Republic in the military sector, as they share a historic collaboration in this area that began in the 1980s and has been significantly strengthened through the agreement signed between the ministries of defense in 2016.He described the military relations between Qatar and Italy as part of a broader strategic partnership that both countries are working to enhance in the fields of security and defense.HE Al Mohannadi noted that the first military cooperation between the two countries began in the early 1980s, with the Qatari naval forces acquiring ships equipped with guns and ammunition manufactured in Italy, which subsequently led to significant developments in military collaboration between the two sides.He added that the agreement signed between the ministries of defense of Qatar and Italy has opened the door wide for close and significant cooperation between the two countries in areas such as the acquisition of combat aircraft, helicopters, naval vessels, and advanced equipment like radar systems, in addition to training and joint exercises, particularly in training pilots and military personnel in the naval forces, as well as academic military studies.He pointed out that the military cooperation agreement between the two countries has borne fruit, with the Qatari armed forces receiving all seven naval vessels manufactured in Italy, with only one remaining to be delivered. Additionally, 80 percent of the order for helicopters from Italy, amounting to 28 helicopters, has been fulfilled.Regarding training, he explained that since 2017, 660 personnel from the naval forces have trained in Italy, while 260 individuals have trained in helicopter operations, and 32 pilots have participated in advanced aircraft training programs. Furthermore, 40 personnel have trained in air defense (radar systems), and 41 individuals have taken part in special forces training, along with the training of liaison officers from the ground forces and the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya).He noted that since 2017, 154 courses have been organized in Italy, benefiting 952 individuals, which brings the total number of those who benefited from these courses in Italy to 1,333. Additionally, since 2021, eight joint exercises have been conducted, involving 316 individuals, along with over 400 mutual visits by military delegations between the two countries since 2017.HE Al Mohannadi noted that the Military Attache office in Italy was established in 2017, following the signing of an agreement for the construction of naval vessels for Qatar with the Italian government in June 2016, in partnership with the Italian company Fincantieri, pointing out that the decision to appoint a Military Attache in Italy was to oversee two roles: defense attache and monitoring projects signed with the Italian government in the military field.He explained that Italy is an important strategic partner in the military sector, as its military industry has seen significant development and possesses over 150 years of extensive experience in manufacturing military equipment, particularly naval equipment, and countries around the world benefit from these advanced Italian military industries.His Excellency highlighted that there are numerous agreements linking Italy and Qatar in the military field, including agreements with the Qatar Armed Forces, the Amiri Guard, the Ministry of Interior, and the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), as well as cooperation in academic military studies, with 240 individuals currently studying in fields related to naval and aviation.He affirmed that military cooperation with Italy will continue and expand further, especially as the signed agreement on military projects spans thirty years and is valued at over EUR 9 billion.The Qatari Military Attache emphasised that the military collaboration between the two countries is strategic, with both sides continuously seeking to explore new opportunities and partnerships that will benefit both nations.He noted that the distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries have significantly facilitated military cooperation, pointing out that Italy is a friendly and important country in the region, and interactions between the two sides are characterized by credibility and respect.HE Al Mohannadi concluded his interview with QNA by noting that Italy has supported Qatar and stood by it in various issues and challenges, and in turn, Qatar supported Italy, particularly during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, by providing two field hospitals, each with a capacity of 1,000 beds and the necessary medical equipment, along with other contributions from Qatar in the transport of Italian equipment and forces from Afghanistan.