Doha, November 27 (QNA) - The Qatar Armed Forces have joined the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) Evaluation and Feedback Program for the partner countries with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The decision to join the OCC was made following the completion of the evaluation process under the patronage of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and in the presence of HE Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces, Lt Gen. (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai.

The State of Qatar is the only country from the Middle East to join this program, having successfully completed all evaluation levels in a record time, in comparison to other NATO partner countries, which can take a period of up to four years to obtain the recognition certificate.

In a statement, the Directorate of Moral Guidance announced that the Qatar Armed Forces successfully completed the evaluation process for joining the OCC within 18 months, after the 101 Air Transport Squadron of the Amiri Air Force successfully passed all evaluation levels and was granted the OCC certificate of accession.

The Qatar Armed Forces participate in this program with seven units according to levels as follows: the Qatar Amiri Land Forces (Self-Evaluation Level 2 - SEL2), the Qatar Amiri Air Forces (NATO Evaluation Level 2 - NEL2), the Qatari Amiri Naval Forces (Self-Evaluation Level 1 - SEL1), the Qatar Amiri Air Defense Forces (Self-Evaluation Level 1 - SEL1), the Military Police Forces (Self-Evaluation Level 2 - SEL2), the Joint Special Forces (Self-Evaluation Level 1 - SEL1), in addition to the Defense Unit Against Weapons of Mass Destruction.

The OCC program is due to be initiated in 2026. (QNA)