Qatar Military
General
Qatar's defense expenditures accounted for approximately 4.2% of gross national product in 1993. Qatar maintains a modest military force of approximately 11,800 men, including an army (8,500), navy (1,800) and air force (1,500). In August 1994, Qatar signed a defense agreement with France in which it agreed to purchase several Mirage 2000-5 aircraft. Qatar has also recently signed defense pacts with the United States and United Kingdom. Qatar plays an active role in the collective defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (the regional organization of the Arab states in the Persian Gulf; the other five members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman). Qatari forces played an important role in the Persian Gulf War.
