Qatar Emiri Air Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Qatar Emiri Air Force
القوات الجوية الأميرية القطرية
Qatar Air Force emblem.svg
Badge of the Qatar Emiri Air Force
Founded1974; 48 years ago (1974)
Country Qatar
TypeAir Force
RoleAerial Warfare
Part ofQatar Armed Forces
Garrison/HQAl- Udeid Air Base
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		Brigadier General (Pilot) Jassem Mohamed Al-Mannai
Insignia
RoundelRoundel of Qatar.svg
Fin flashFlag of Qatar.svg
FlagAir Force Ensign of Qatar.svg
Aircraft flown
AttackF-15E Eagle
FighterMirage 2000, Rafale, F-15E Eagle =
HelicopterAérospatiale Gazelle, Westland Sea King, AW139, Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil
Attack helicopterBoeing AH-64 Apache , NHIndustries NH90
TrainerMirage 2000, PAC Super Mushshak, Pilatus PC-21
TransportC-130J Super Hercules, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Dassault Falcon 900

The Qatar Emiri Air Force (Arabic: القوات الجوية الأميرية القطرية, romanized: Al-Quwwat Al-Jawiyah Al-Amiriyah Al-Qatariyah) (QEAF) is the air arm of the armed forces of the state of Qatar. It was established in 1974 as a small aerial support wing, although, in modern times has evolved into a well equipped and potent force. The QEAF is headquartered at Al-Udeid Air Base[1] in Doha; the current commander is Brigadier General (Pilot) Jassem Mohamed Al-Mannai.

History[]

In March 1967, in response to the British announcement that it would withdraw its armed forces from the Persian Gulf, Qatar set up armed forces, creating the Qatar Public Security Forces Air Wing, equipped with two Westland Whirlwind helicopters. In 1971, it acquired a combat capability when it purchased three ex-RAF Hawker Hunter jet fighters, which remained in use until 1981. It was renamed the Qatar Emiri Air Force in 1974.[2]

The air force began a major expansion in 1979, when it ordered six Alpha Jet trainer/light attack aircraft. This was followed by orders for 14 Mirage F1 supersonic jet fighters in 1980, which were delivered between 1980 and 1984. Twelve Gazelle helicopters, armed with HOT anti-tank missiles were received from 1983. Also in 1983, the air force took over the Qatar Police Air Wing.[3]

In 1991, the Qatari Air Force contributed aircraft to conduct strikes against Iraqi forces during the Gulf War. After the conflict the government sought to fortify their air defense with the construction of a new base southwest of Doha at Al Udaid. The facility has hardened aircraft shelters, air defence radars, and Roland missile batteries. In the 1990s, they acquired more Alpha Jets with a ground attack capability and a squadron of Mirage F1s, from France.[citation needed]

In 2005, the Air Force participated in Exercise Eagle Resolve, along with Qatari medical services and emergency medical teams to build interoperability with their US counterparts. The US 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit took part in this exercise to validate the nation's crisis management plan prior to hosting the 2006 Asian Games.

Other acquisitions have been for an order of 59 AW139 helicopters.[4] The helicopters are used for utility tasks, troop transport, search and rescue, border patrol, special forces operations, and law enforcement. Three additional aircraft were ordered in March 2011 for Medevac services.[5]

By 2010, the Qatar Emiri Air Force's personnel strength was at 2,100 and its equipment included the Mirage 2000-3EDA, the SA 342L Gazelle, and the C-17A Globemaster III. Aircraft either flew out of al-Udeid field or Doha International Airport and received training from British instructors. In January 2011, the Air Force evaluated the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle and the Dassault Rafale to replace its current fighter inventory of Dassault Mirage 2000-5s.[6] In May 2015, the QAF awarded the contract for 24 Dassault Rafale fighters worth €6.3 billion ($7 billion).[7] [8]

In July 2012, the Qatar Air Force ordered a complete pilot training system from Pilatus centering upon the PC-21. The package included ground-based training devices, logistical support and maintenance in addition to 24 PC-21 aircraft.

In June 2015, the QAF ordered four additional C-17s, to supplement the existing four delivered in 2009 and 2012.

In September 2016, the sale of up to 72 F-15QAs to Qatar was submitted to the US Congress for approval.[9][10] The deal (for 36 planes plus an option for 36 more),[11] valued at US$21.1 billion, was signed in November 2016.[12]

In September 2017, the QAF ordered 24 Typhoon fighter jets from the UK.[13] In December 2017, the QAF ordered 12 additional Rafale fighter jets from France, with an option for 36 more.[14]

In August 2018, Qatar announced the construction of a new air base to be named after Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In addition to the new air base, Al Udeid Air Base and Doha International Air Base are to be expanded in order to accommodate aircraft on order.[15]

Airbases[]

  • Al Udeid Air Base[16]
    • 3rd Rotary Wing
      • 20th Squadron – 39 AW139
    • Flying Wing 5
      • 51st Squadron 'Ababil' - F-15QA
    • Transport Wing
      • 10th Transport Squadron – 8 C-17 Globemaster
      • 12th Transport Squadron - 4 C-130J-30
  • Al Zaeem Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air College
      • ?? Squadron - 8 MFI-395 Super Mushshak
      • 31st Squadron - 24 PC-21
      • ?? Squadron - 6 M-346
      • 6th Close Support Squadron - 14 SA342 Gazelle (to be replaced with 16 x H125)
  • Doha International Air Base
    • Flying Wing 1
      • 7th Air Superiority Squadron – 9 Mirage 2000-5EDA, 3 Mirage 2000-5DDA
      • 11th Close Support Squadron – 9 Hawk Mk167
    • 2nd Rotary Wing
      • 8th Anti-Surface Vessel Squadron – Westland Sea King
      • 9th Multi-Role Squadron – Westland Commando Mk 2
      • 41st Squadron - AH-64E
  • Dukhan / Tamim Airbase
    • U/I Fighter Wing
      • 1st Fighter Squadron 'Al Adiyat' – 31 Rafale
  • RAF Leeming
      • Joint RAF/QEAF AJT Training Squadron – 9 Hawk T2[17]

Aircraft[]

Current inventory[]

F15qa-ababil-rollout.jpg
A Qatari Mirage 2000-5 participating in Operation Odyssey Dawn
A Sea King conducts a counter-terrorism exercise
A C-17 on take off
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
Mirage 2000-5 France Multirole 12
Alpha Jet France / Germany Light Attack 6[18]
Dassault Rafale France Multirole combat aircraft Rafale 36[18] [19]
Eurofighter Typhoon United Kingdom Multirole combat aircraft Typhoon [18] 24 on order[20]
F-15QA United States Strike Fighter F-15QA 12[18] 60 on order[21][22]
Tanker
Airbus A330 MRTT France Aerial Refueling / transport KC-30A 2 on order[23]
Transport
Boeing C-17 United States Heavy Transport 8[18]
C-130J Super Hercules United States Utility Transport C-130J-30 4[18]
Helicopters
AH-64 Apache United States Attack AH-64E 24[18]
NHIndustries NH90 European Union Utility / Transport 10[24] 16 on order[18]
Aérospatiale Gazelle France Armed Scout 342 13[18]
AgustaWestland AW139 Italy Utility 18[18]
Trainer Aircraft
BAE Hawk United Kingdom Conversion Trainer Hawk 167 2 7 on order[18]
M-346 Master Italy Advanced Trainer 3 3 on order[25]
Pilatus PC-21 Switzerland Primary Trainer 24[18]
Pilatus PC-24 Switzerland Multi-Engine Trainer 2[26]
PAC Super Mushshak Pakistan Primary Trainer 8[18]
AgustaWestland AW169 Italy Rotorcraft Trainer 4[18]

Retired[]

Previous notable aircraft operated by the Air Force consisted of the Mirage 2000, Westland Commando, Hawker Hunter, Dassault Mirage F1, Piper PA-34 Seneca, Boeing 707, Boeing 727, Westland Whirlwind, Britten-Norman Islander, and the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopter.[27][28][29]

Commissioned officer ranks[]

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Qatari Emiri Land Force
  • v
  • t
 16. QELF-GEN.svg 15. QELF-LG.svg 14. QELF-MG.svg 13. QELF-BG.svg 12. QELF-COL.svg 11. QELF-LTC.svg 10. QELF-MAJ.svg 09. QELF-CAPT.svg 08. QELF-1LT.svg 07. QELF-2LT.svg
فريق أول‎‎
Fariq 'awal 		فريق
Fariq 		لواء
Liwa 		عميد
 عقيد
 مقدم
Muqaddam 		رائد
 نقيب
 ملازم أول
Mulazim awwal 		ملازم
Mulazim


 Qatari Emiri Navy
  • v
  • t
 16. QENF-GEN.svg 15. QENF-LG.svg 14. QENF-MG.svg 13. QENF-BG.svg 12. QENF-COL.svg 11. QENF-LTC.svg 10. QENF-MAJ.svg 09. QENF-CAPT.svg 08. QENF-1LT.svg 07. QENF-2LT.svg
فريق أول‎‎
Fariq 'awal 		فريق
Fariq 		لواء
Liwa 		عميد
 عقيد
 مقدم
Muqaddam 		رائد
 نقيب
 ملازم أول
Mulazim awwal 		ملازم
Mulazim


 Qatar Emiri Air Force
  • v
  • t
 16. QEAF-GEN.svg 15. QEAF-LG.svg 14. QEAF-MG.svg 13. QEAF-BG.svg 12. QEAF-COL.svg 11. QEAF-LTC.svg 10. QEAF-MAJ.svg 09. QEAF-CAPT.svg 08. QEAF-1LT.svg 07. QEAF-2LT.svg
فريق أول‎‎
Fariq 'awal 		فريق
Fariq 		لواء
Liwa 		عميد
 عقيد
 مقدم
Muqaddam 		رائد
 نقيب
 ملازم أول
Mulazim awwal 		ملازم
Mulazim


Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet

Other ranks[]

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Qatari Emiri Land Force
  • v
  • t
 06. QELF-WO1.svg 05. QELF-WO2.svg 04. QELF-SSG.svg 03. QELF-SGT.svg 02. QELF-CPL.svg 01. QELF-LCPL.svg No insignia
وكيل ضابط اول
Wakil dabit awwal 		وكيل ضابط ثاني
Wakil dabit thani 		رقيب
Raqib 		نائب
Nayib 		عريف
Earif 		وكيل عريف
Wakil earif 		جندي
Jundiun‎‎


 Qatari Emiri Navy
  • v
  • t
 06. QENF-WO1.svg 05. QENF-WO2.svg 04. QENF-SSG.svg 03. QENF-SGT.svg 02. QENF-CPL.svg 01. QENF-LCPL.svg No insignia
وكيل ضابط اول
Wakil dabit awwal 		وكيل ضابط ثاني
Wakil dabit thani 		رقيب
Raqib 		نائب
Nayib 		عريف
Earif 		وكيل عريف
Wakil earif 		جندي
Jundiun‎‎


 Qatar Emiri Air Force
  • v
  • t
 06. QEAF-WO1.svg 05. QEAF-WO2.svg 04. QEAF-SSG.svg 03. QEAF-SGT.svg 02. QEAF-CPL.svg 01. QEAF-LCPL.svg No insignia
وكيل ضابط اول
Wakil dabit awwal 		وكيل ضابط ثاني
Wakil dabit thani 		رقيب
Raqib 		نائب
Nayib 		عريف
Earif 		وكيل عريف
Wakil earif 		جندي
Jundiun‎‎
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Cordesman, Anthony H.; Al-Rodhan, Khalid R. (2007). Gulf Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric Wars. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-275-99400-6.
  2. ^ Air International September 1988, p. 136.
  3. ^ Air International September 1988, pp. 136, 139.
  4. ^ Qatar Armed Forces Sign Contract for 18 AW139 Helicopters. Asd-network.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-28.
  5. ^ "The Qatar Armed Forces Order Three EMS-Configured AW139s" Archived May 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Agusta Westland 21 March 2011
  6. ^ US Bid Delays Qatar Jet Competition
  7. ^ Corbet, Sylvie (2015-04-30). "France sells 24 Rafale fighter jets to Qatar in a $7 billion deal". AP News. Archived from the original on 2015-05-18.
  8. ^ "Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF)". globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. set to approve sales of Boeing fighters to Qatar, Kuwait - sources". Reuters. 1 September 2016. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Fighter Jet Sales to Gulf Allies Backed by U.S. After a Wait". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. 29 September 2016. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  11. ^ "US Allows Qatar to Buy F-15s — and Seals a $19B Sale of Jetliners". Defense One. October 11, 2016.
  12. ^ "Qatar and Kuwait fighter deals signed off". Combat Aircraft. 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  13. ^ "UK to supply Qatar with 24 Typhoon fighter jets". Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  14. ^ "Visite d'Emmanuel Macron au Qatar: Doha achète 12 Rafale et 50 Airbus" (in French). France24. 2017-12-07. Archived from the original on 2017-12-13.
  15. ^ Binnie, Jeremy (29 August 2018). "Qatar announces new airbase". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Armed Forces Overview – Qatar Emiri Air Force". Archived from the original on 2016-10-14. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
  17. ^ "Royal Air Force and Qatar Emiri Air Force Expand Defence Partnership". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 25 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal. 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Qatar continues to expand its combat aircraft capability with the arrival of four additional Rafales". Shephard Media. 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  20. ^ "Qatar continues to expand its combat aircraft capability with the arrival of four additional Typhoon". Shephard Media. 2021-07-28. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  21. ^ "Here Are The First Four F-15QA Eagle Jets For The Qatar Emiri Air Force". The Aviationist. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Qatar: Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  23. ^ "Airbus has been selected by Qatar to supply two A330 MRTT". airbus.com. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  24. ^ "Leonardo delivers first Qatari NH90 TTH". Shephard Media. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  25. ^ "Qatar receives M-346 jet trainers". Jane's. 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  26. ^ "Pilatus PC-24 for Qatar".
  27. ^ "World Air Forces 1985 pg. 70". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  28. ^ Bauer, Anne (2021-11-19). "Ares, la PME française qui rachète les Mirage du Qatar". Les Echos (in French). Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  29. ^ "QEAF Westland Commando helicopters to Pakistan". Scramble. Retrieved 31 January 2022.


See also[]

  1. ^ "Royal Air Force and Qatar Emiri Air Force Expand Defence Partnership". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 25 June 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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