Qatar Emiri Air Force Eurofighter
The Qatar Emiri Air Force (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.
Qatar Emiri Air Force Dassault Rafale
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.
The F-15QA (Qatar Advanced) is a version specially designed to meet the specific needs of the Qatari Air Force.
Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale F-15QA Ababil QA538, Qatar Emiri Air Force, RIAT 2024 (with 12 x AIM-120, 3 x fuel tank)
Check out the brand new release of Hobbymaster’s 1/72nd scale F-15QA Ababil QA538, Qatar Emiri Air Force, RIAT 2024 (with 12 x AIM-120, 3 x fuel tank). Available to pre-order from Flying Tigers this model is selling very fast (Might have something to do with the fantastic air displays this year at RIAT !) Please click on the links or image below to go straight to the model page to order yours now.
The F-15QA (Qatar Advanced) is a version specially designed to meet the specific needs of the Qatari Air Force. It incorporates cutting-edge technologies that enhance its combat, survivability and interoperability capabilities.
Advanced avionics: The F-15QA features a modern cockpit with large touch screens, offering an intuitive user interface and enhancing the pilot’s situational awareness. Combat management and mission systems are integrated to enable complex operations with high efficiency.
Superior Combat Capabilities: The F-15QA features the latest-generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, offering increased range and accuracy for target detection and tracking. It is also equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems to defend against threats and disrupt enemy systems.
Useful Load and Flexibility: With its 11 payload points, the F-15QA can carry a wide range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles and guided bombs. This flexibility enables the aircraft to adapt to different missions, from air superiority to precision strikes.
Performance and endurance: Powered by two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines, the F-15QA offers impressive thrust and supersonic flight capability. Its range and endurance are enhanced by compliant fuel tanks, enabling extended operations without refuelling.
Hobbymaster New Model Announcements !
*FREE U.K. Postage! *(Terms & conditions apply)
Check out the latest Hobbymaster models that have just been announced and are now available to pre-order from Flying Tigers today.
* FREE U.K. POSTAGE only when you buy 2 or more models from the offer below at the same time. Postage will be refunded at the point of dispatch.
Free Postage offer ends Saturday 12th October at 18.00 B.S.T.
Flying Tigers reseves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card (not PayPal) your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all in the Future Military Model Releases section.
Standard UK delivery only £4.95 (click here for details)
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your U.K. orders to save on postage costs across all brands for only £7.00 (click here for details)
Standard US delivery from only £22.00 (click here for details)
European tracked delivery from only £16.00 (click here for details)
Rest of World tracked delivery from only £25.00 (click here for details)
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Hobbymaster updated photo gallery.
Check out the latest HM photos below. Please click on the images or links to go straight to the model page to order your model.
Thank you for reading this week’s Newsletter.
Richard
Flying Tigers.
