Qatar/Region: Jet purchases add to regional arms race in the sky

Doha has again committed to heavy spending on its military, in what looks like a well-co-ordinated (and expensive) attempt to entrench its alliances with key international powers at a time when it is under pressure from three of its Gulf neighbours. The latest deals – which confirm orders previously discussed with Dassault Aviation and BAE Systems – take its outlay to well over $20bn since June; the emirate now has at least 96 fighter jets on order.