The government of Qatar has boosted its plans to buy Hawk training planes from BAE Systems, the country's defense minister Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah said Wednesday.

Qatar and BAE Systems in December already finalized a deal for delivery of 24 Typhoon combat jets starting in late 2022. The deal is valued at around GBP5 billion ($6.9 billion). At the time the two were still in talks about the Hawk trainer planes.

Qatar has been on an equipment buying spree. Last year, it announced a massive $12 billion order for 72 Boeing Co. F-15 combat jets. In November, Doha also committed to taking 12 more Rafale combat jets from France's Dassault Aviation SA, having previously bought 24 of the planes.

Qatar's weapons deals come amid a diplomatic crisis that began in June between the Persian Gulf state and many of its neighbors, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE.

Those countries have been critical of Qatari ties to Iran, accused the country of supporting terrorism, and cut trade ties. Qatar has denied the charge and criticized its neighbors for their efforts to isolate the country.

Al-Attiyah said the country was investing heavily in new military equipment, including also from Turkey and China, to lower its reliance for national security on other countries.