QATAR is to expand two of its key strategic air bases including one which hosts the largest US military facility in the Middle East.
Major developments will be carried out at Al-Udeid Air Base, from where US-led coalition warplanes launch airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq, and also at Doha Air Base neat the capital.
A Qatari spokesman said the work demonstrated a commitment to deepening its strategic military relations with the US.
He said: “The State of Qatar, along with its strategic US ally, is working on drawing up a roadmap for the future of bilateral relations, including the addition of Al-Udeid air base to the list of US permanent military bases.”
Pentagon chiefs were guarded in their comments about the expansion at Al-Udeid where around 10,000 US service personnel are stationed.
Lieutenant Commander Rebecca Rebarich said: “It is premature to discuss aspects of a potential base expansion at Al-Udeid air base in Qatar.
“The US military is working with the Qatari ministry of defence on further details of the proposal to help us to plan appropriately and ensure we will use any new facilities effectively.”
The announcement comes as Qatar beefs up its armed forces amid a bitter 12-month dispute between the tiny Gulf Arab state and its powerful neighbours who accuse its rulers of supporting terrorism in the highly-volatile region.
Major-General Ahmed Ibrahim Al Malki, deputy commander of the Amiri Air Force, said the expansion will help accommodate new warplanes and military systems introduced to the service including British-made Eurofighter Typhoons, French Rafale fighters and American F-15s.
Qatari officials have announced the expansion of §Al-Udeid air base (Image: GETTY)
The US launches airstrikes on ISIS targets from Al-Udeid air base (Image: GETTY)
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt all cut diplomatic, trade and transport ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
Doha rejected the charges, describing the boycott as an attempt to subvert its sovereignty, and used the wealth accumulated as the world’s biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas to defy its larger, wealthier neighbours.
It has repeatedly called for dialogue but at the same time continued to strengthen its military capability as tensions rose across the troubled region.
Last December, Qatar entered into a £5bn contract with British defence group BAE Systems for the purchase of 24 Typhoon combat aircraft and a £4.8bn deal with Boeing Co for 36 F-15 fighters.
It also agreed to buy 12 additional Dassault Aviation-made Rafale warplanes with an option for 36 more.
The Gulf dispute appears immune to mediation efforts by the US which has vital strategic military positions in Qatar and some of the countries lined up against its.
Donald Trump publicly sided with the Saudis and UAE early in the crisis but then began pushing for a resolution to restore Gulf unity and maintain a united front against Iran.
