Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah inaugurated the F-15 aircraft production line for the Qatari Amiri Air Forces, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

During the visit to Boeing’s plant in the US state of Missouri, he 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 modernize its fleet of fighter jets to protect the country’s capabilities.

Dr. al-Attiyah was accompanied during the visit by Brigadier General Issa Rashid al-Mohannadi, the F-15 Aircraft Officer, the Military Attaché of the State of Qatar to the United States Brigadier General Yousef Mohamed al-Kuwari, as well as senior officers of the Qatari Armed Forces who are in charge of the project.

On Friday, Dr. al-Attiyah held 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 Brigadier General al-Kuwari attended the meeting.

In June 2017, Dr. al-Attiyah and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis signed the Letter of Intent for Qatar purchasing 36 fighter jets (F-15) in a deal worth $12 billion.