Qatar Emiri Air Force

In today's article we will delve into the exciting world of Qatar Emiri Air Force. We will explore its origins, evolution and its various applications today. Qatar Emiri Air Force has been a topic of interest for a long time and has generated debates, research and discoveries that have impacted different areas of society. Throughout this article, we will analyze how Qatar Emiri Air Force has influenced culture, science, technology, and people's daily lives. Additionally, we will examine current trends related to Qatar Emiri Air Force and how these may affect the future of our society. From its impact on history to its relevance in the contemporary world, Qatar Emiri Air Force continues to be a topic of great interest and relevance, making it crucial to understand its importance and the role it plays in our lives.

Qatar Emiri Air Force
القوات الجوية الأميرية القطرية
seal of the Qatar Emiri Air Force
Founded1974 (1974)
CountryQatar
TypeAir Force
RoleAerial Warfare
Size2,000 personnel
Part ofQatar Armed Forces
Garrison/HQAl-Udeid Air Base
Engagements
Commanders
Chief of the Qatar Emiri Air ForceMajor General (Pilot) Jassem Mohamed Al-Mannai
Insignia
Roundel
Fin flash
Ensign
Aircraft flown
FighterRafale, Typhoon, F-15QA
HelicopterNH90, AS350 Écureuil, AW139
Attack helicopterAH-64E Apache
TrainerSuper Mushshak, PC-21, Hawk 167, M-346 Master
TransportC-130J-30 Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III

The Qatar Emiri Air Force (Arabic: القوات الجوية الأميرية القطرية, romanizedAl-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 it has evolved into a potent, well equipped force. The QEAF is headquartered at Al-Udeid Air Base 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.

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.

In 1991, the Qatari Air Force took part in the Gulf War on the side of the allies.

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. 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.

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. In May 2015, the QAF awarded the contract for 24 Dassault Rafale fighters worth €6.3 billion ($7 billion).

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. The deal (for 36 planes plus an option for 36 more), valued at US$21.1 billion, was signed in November 2016.

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

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.

Airbases

  • Al Udeid Air Base
    • Flying Wing 5 'Ababil'
      • 51st Squadron – 12 × McDonnell Douglas F-15QA Strike Eagle
      • 52nd Squadron – 12 × McDonnell Douglas F-15QA Strike Eagle
      • 53rd Squadron – 12 × McDonnell Douglas F-15QA Strike Eagle
    • Flying Wing 8
      • 10th Transport Squadron – 8 × Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
      • 12th Transport Squadron – 4 × C-130/J-30 Super Hercules
    • Flying Wing 3
      • 20th Squadron – 13 × Agusta Westland AW139
      • 21st Squadron – 13 × Agusta Westland AW139
      • 22nd Squadron – 13 × Agusta Westland AW139
  • Al Zaeem Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air College (at Al Udeid Airbase)
      • ?? Squadron – 8 × MFI-395 Super Mushshak
      • 31st Squadron – 24 × Pilatus PC-21
        A Mirage 2000 of the QEAF during the 2011 Libya intervention.
      • ?? Squadron – 6 × M-346 Master
  • Doha International Air Base (at Doha International Airport)
    • Flying Wing 1
      • 7th Squadron – 12 x Eurofighter Typhoon
      • 12th Squadron - 12 × Eurofighter Typhoon
      • 11th Squadron - Hawk Mk.167
    • Flying Wing 2
      • 6th Squadron – 14 × SA342 Gazelle (to be replaced with 16 x H125)
      • 8th Squadron – NFH90
      • 9th Squadron – NH90
    • Flying Wing 4
      • 41st Squadron – 12 × Boeing AH-64E Apache
      • 42nd Squadron - 12 x Boeing AH-64E Apache
  • Dukhan / Tamim Airbase
    • Flying Wing 6 'Al Adiyat'
      • 1st Fighter Squadron – 11 × Dassault Rafale
      • 61st Fighter Squadron – 10 × Dassault Rafale
      • 62nd Fighter Squadron – 10 × Dassault Rafale
  • RAF Leeming

Aircraft

Current inventory

A Rafale fighter aircraft flies above Qatar after receiving fuel
An AW139 flies during the QEAF Lahoub exercise
A C-130J flies over head
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
Alpha Jet France / Germany light attack 6
Mirage 2000 France multirole 5EDA 12 3 5DDA variants provide conversion training
Dassault Rafale France multirole 36
F-15E Strike Eagle United States strike fighter F-15QA 33
Eurofighter Typhoon Germany / UK multirole 14 10 on order
Aerial refueling
Airbus A330 MRTT France tanker / transport KC-30A 2 on order
Transport
Boeing C-17 United States strategic airlifter 8 one operated with the Qatar Amiri Flight
C-130J Super Hercules United States tactical airlifter C-130J-30 4
Helicopters
AH-64 Apache United States attack AH-64E 24
NHIndustries NH90 European Union utility / transport 9 19 on order
Aérospatiale Gazelle France armed scout 342 13
AgustaWestland AW139 Italy utility 19
AgustaWestland AW109 Italy utility 2
Trainer Aircraft
BAE Hawk United Kingdom conversion trainer Hawk 167 9
M-346 Master Italy advanced trainer 6
Pilatus PC-21 Switzerland primary trainer 24
Pilatus PC-24 Switzerland multi-engine trainer 2
PAC Super Mushshak Pakistan primary trainer 8
AgustaWestland AW169 Italy rotorcraft trainer 4
UAV
Baykar Bayraktar TB2 Turkey surveillance 6

Retired

Previous notable aircraft operated 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.

Ranks

Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Qatar Emiri Air Force
فريق أول‎‎
Fariq 'awal
فريق
Fariq
لواء
Liwa
عميد
Amid
عقيد
Aqid
مقدم
Muqaddam
رائد
Ra'id
نقيب
Naqib
ملازم أول
Mulazim awwal
ملازم
Mulazim
Enlisted and NCOs
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Qatar Emiri Air Force
No insignia
وكيل اول
Wakil awwal
وكيل ثاني
Wakil thani
رقيب
Raqib
نائب
Nayib
عريف
Earif
وكيل عريف
Wakil earif
جندي
Jundi‎‎

See also

References

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  4. ^ Air International September 1988, pp. 136, 139.
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