Defence minister opens F-15 production line for Qatar

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah paid a visit to the Boeing Company plant in the US state of Missouri.

During the visit, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs inaugurated the F-15 aircraft production line for the Qatari Amiri Air Forces.He also toured the company's building, which allows trainees to have on-ground experience before actually flying.The project, dubbed Ababeel, aims to develop the Qatari Amiri Air Forces' capabilities as part of its plans to modernise its fleet of fighter jets to protect the country's capabilities.HE Dr al-Attiyah and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis signed the Letter of Intent in June 2017 for Qatar purchasing 36 fighter jets (F-15) in a deal worth $12bn.HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs was accompanied during the visit by Brig. Gen Issa Rashid al-Mohannadi, the F-15 Aircraft Officer, the Military Attache of the State of Qatar to the United States Brig. Gen. Yousef Mohamed al-Kuwari, as well as senior officers of the Qatari Armed Forces who are in charge of the project.HE Dr al-Attiyah held on Friday a meeting with Mayor of Charleston John Tecklenburg, US Senate member Paul Campbell, Executive Director of Charleston County Economic Development Steve Dykes and Chairman of Charleston County Council Victor Rawl.Talks during the meeting dealt with a number of topics of mutual interest in addition to means to promote and develop bilateral relations.Qatar's military attaché Brig. Gen. al-Kuwari attended the meeting.