{"id":52226,"date":"2017-08-02T17:05:16","date_gmt":"2017-08-02T17:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/08\/02\/qatar-and-italy-sign-a-nearly-6b-deal-for-naval-vessels\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:44:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:44:39","slug":"qatar-and-italy-sign-a-nearly-6b-deal-for-naval-vessels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/naval\/2017\/08\/02\/qatar-and-italy-sign-a-nearly-6b-deal-for-naval-vessels\/","title":{"rendered":"Qatar and Italy sign a nearly $6B deal for naval vessels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates \u2014 Qatar on Wednesday signed a \u20ac5 billion euro (U.S. $5.9 billion) deal to purchase seven naval vessels from Italy, a reminder of the small Gulf state\u2019s purchasing power despite a blockade from neighboring countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced the defense deal at a joint news conference in Doha with Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano. They did not provide more details on the deal, saying only that it underscored the countries\u2019 ongoing defense cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qatar, which is the world\u2019s largest liquefied natural gas exporter, and other energy rich Gulf Arab states are among the world\u2019s biggest spenders on military equipment. The deals signed over the years with the U.S. and European allies have helped cement bilateral ties, but have also made the diplomatic fallout around Qatar all the more politically sensitive. Qatar also hosts the hub for U.S.-led operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\t