Qatar designated as Major Non-NATO Ally to the US

Context: Recently, US president designated Qatar a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) to the US, making it the third country of the Gulf region after Kuwait and Bahrain to receive the designation and one of only 18 countries globally. 

• MNNA status is given to “exceptionally” close US allies who are not members of NATO but maintain significant relations with American forces. 
• Although MNNA designation does not come with NATO-like security and defence guarantees (unless specified), it is still a powerful symbol of a nation’s closeness to the US.

Key Points

• Qatar is now eligible to store advanced American military equipment, weapons, and munitions on its territory and outside of US military facilities; 
• Receive $3 million USD for counter-terrorism research with focus on surveillance technologies; 
• Buy depleted uranium ammunition (used for armour plating and penetration to make anti-tank weapons); and 
• Receive loan materials and supplies for cooperative development from American companies. 

Status of Major non-NATO ally

• It is granted to countries depending upon US strategic interests.
• It was first created in 1987.
• The initial MNNAs were Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, and South Korea.
• Brazil was the latest country to be granted this status.

Benefits & Security Implications of MNNA Status

• It permits firms of a country to bid on certain US government contracts for maintenance, repair or overhaul of Department of Defence (DOD) equipment outside the continental US.
• Makes a country eligible for certain joint counterterrorism research and development projects.
• Allows DOD to enter into cooperative R&D projects with the country to improve conventional defence capabilities on an equitable cost-sharing basis.
• Makes a nation eligible for priority delivery of excess defence articles if it is on the South or Southeastern flank of NATO.
• Makes the country eligible to have U.S.-owned War Reserve Stockpiles on its territory outside of US military installations.
• Allows the country to use US-provided foreign military financing for commercial leasing of certain defence articles.
• Makes a country eligible for loans of materials, supplies and equipment for cooperative R&D projects and testing and evaluation.
• Makes a country eligible for expedited processing of export licenses of commercial satellites, their technologies, components, and systems.