Qatar will soon announce a new defence production partnership aimed at strengthening regional capabilities against ballistic missiles, drones and cyberattacks, the country’s minister of state for defence affairs said on Monday.
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani made the announcement at the Global Security Forum in Doha, as Gulf Arab countries face heightened security concerns following Iranian attacks on energy-rich states in the Middle East.
The proposed initiative will involve regional partners alongside other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and France. The partnership is intended to support local defence capabilities and investment in companies involved in security and defence production.
“We are partnering with a regional partner, in addition to other partners such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, to make sure either we do local protection or we are investing in some of these companies,” Al Thani said.
Asked about the threats posed to Qatar and other Gulf countries by ballistic missiles, drones and cyberattacks, the minister said a new partnership would be announced soon.
“Soon we are going to announce a new partnership that we will do with the regional partners to establish a new initiative towards building capability into these three elements and others,” he said.
Al Thani did not provide further details about the planned arrangement, including the countries involved, the companies expected to participate or the scale of investment.
The announcement comes as Gulf states reassess their defence requirements amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Attacks and security threats across the region have increased concerns about protecting critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, transport networks and other strategic assets.
Qatar, one of the world’s leading exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), has faced significant economic and operational challenges since hostilities began. The country was forced to shut down much of its main LNG complex at Ras Laffan shortly after the start of the conflict.
Restrictions on international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have also affected the movement of energy supplies. The strategic waterway is a major route for global oil and gas shipments, making disruptions particularly significant for Gulf exporters.
A defence production hub could form part of Qatar’s efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities and work more closely with international partners. Regional cooperation may also help Gulf countries address shared security challenges and improve their ability to respond to threats involving missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and cyber operations.
However, the precise structure and objectives of the planned initiative remain unclear pending an official announcement from the Qatari government.
