Turkey signed an agreement with Qatar on Tuesday, agreeing to supply the Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN) with two training warships, according to Turkish media citing the chairman of the Anadolu shipyard, Sualp Ürkmez.
“Qatar needs these ships to provide its naval personnel with sufficient training,” Sualp Ürkmez told Turkish media, while adding that the training vessels will be delivered within 36 months.
Mr. Ürkmez went on to state that Turkish is one of only ten countries that can “design and build its own warships.”
The deal was inked on March 13 at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2018) – a military exhibition which has seen over US$30 billion worth of arms deals signed in 7 years of running.
The UK and other world powers have called on Saudi Arabia to lift the blockade, but the Kingdom's Crown Prince's stance has proved to be unwavering. Qatar's economy has not significantly been affected by the sanctions, as most key economic partners, especially in Asia, have continued to trade with Doha.
Kuwait has mediated between the Saudi-led bloc and Qatar to deescalate the situation and facilitate negotiations. However, despite some dialogue, there is yet to be any significant breakthrough, and it remains unlikely Qatar will yield and make the proposed concessions.
