The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) is the aerial branch of the Qatar Armed Forces. It was formed in 1974, three years after achieving independence from the British Empire in 1971.
Initially equipped with ex-RAF Hawker Hunters, the air force soon began expansion with six Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets in 1979. Fourteen Dassault Mirage F1s were delivered between 1980-84. In the 1990s, Qatar's air force infrastructure was upgraded by France for $200 million, leading to the order of nine single Mirage 2000-5DEA multi-role combat aircraft and three two seat Mirage 2000-5DDA combat trainers in August 1994. Deliveries started in December 1997, and involved the buy back of the remaining 11 Mirage F1s by France that were later sold on to Spain. The current commander of the Qatar Emiri Air Force is Brigadier General Mubarak Mohammed Al Kumait Al Khayarin.
In 2015, Qatar ordered thirty-six Dassault Rafale F3 multi-role fighters for its air force.
Aircraft Inventory[]
Combat Aircraft[]
Dassault Mirage 2000-4DEA x 12 (Air Superiority Fighter)- Dassult Rafale F3 x 36 (Multirole Fighter) - on order
ELINT Aircraft[]
Seattle AF E-7/09 x 4 (AWACS Aircraft)
Transport Aircraft[]
Airbus A300 x 2 (VIP Transport)- Airbus A310 x 2 (VIP Transport)
- Airbus A320 x 2 (VIP Transport)
- Airbus A340 x 4 (VIP Transport)
- Bethpage AF C-130/99J-30 x 6 (Tactical Transport)
- Dassault Falcon 900 x 4 (VIP Transport)
- Hawker 800 x 2 (VIP Transport)
- Long Beach AF C-17/91 x 4 (Strategic Airlifter)
- Seattle AF S707 x 4 (VIP Transport)
- Seattle AF S727 x 2 (VIP Transport)
Trainer Aircraft[]
- / Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet E x 12 (Advanced trainer/light Attack)
- Pilatus PC-21 x 24 (Primary Trainer)
- Vero Beach AF VB-28/60 x 10 (Training and Liaison)
- Vero Beach AF VB-34/71 x 4 (Training and Liaison)
Helicopters[]
- Aérospatiale SA342G/L Gazelle x 14 (Utility Helicopter)
- /Agusta-Westland AW139 x 26 (Tactical transport/Medivac)
- BHI CH-148B Cyclone x 12 (VIP Transport Helicopter)
- Seattle HF AH-64/97d x 24 (Attack Helicopter)
- Westland Commando x 25 (Transport/Utility/Maritime Patrol Helicopter)
- Westland Lynx x 6 (Utility Helicopter)
