France, Qatar carry out joint military exercises

French and Qatari troops on Tuesday concluded joint military maneuvers aimed at improving the defense capabilities of Qatar's army.

The Qatar News Agency said that Qatari land troops, backed by helicopters, carried out a series of military exercises over several days with French forces using live ammunition.

Since 1994, Qatar and France are linked to a defense agreement according to which the two countries' troops carry out joint maneuvers. The agreement calls for developing bilateral cooperation and setting up a committee chaired by the two countries' army's chief of staffs and to meet periodically as of the current year.

French equipment comprises 80% of the total equipment uesd by Qatar's 10,000 troop army.