Qatar Emiri Air Force
A Qatar Emiri Air Force Dassault Rafale ready to receive fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over Qatar on Dec. 31, 2020, during a bilateral air-to-air refueling training mission designed to enhance interoperability between the two air forces. Photo: Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes, U.S. Air Force
Text: Petr Uzsák
The Qatar Emiri Air Force entered global headlines following the reported shootdown of two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24M bombers during the opening phase of this year’s conflict with Iran. The aircraft were reportedly intercepted over the waters of the Persian Gulf while approaching targets in Qatar and were engaged near the country in international airspace. Leaving aside subsequent disputes regarding the incident itself, this article focuses instead on the air arm behind the action.
The aerial component of Qatar’s armed forces has a history spanning nearly six decades. Its origins date back to 1967, when the British government announced the withdrawal of its forces from the Persian Gulf region. Initially established as the Qatar Public Security Forces Air Wing, the service operated only Westland Whirlwind helicopters. In 1974, it was reorganized into a fully fledged air force. A major expansion followed in 1979, bringing rapid growth in both personnel and equipment. Jet combat aircraft, helicopters, transport aircraft and training platforms were acquired, while unmanned systems joined the inventory during the last decade. The buildup was clearly influenced by rising tensions between Iraq and Iran, which escalated into the Iran-Iraq War a year later. Over time, the Qatar Air Force also absorbed the country’s police aviation branch. Overall, Qatar’s military aviation has advanced significantly since its creation, establishing the country as a major regional air power.
Air Force headquarters is located at Al-Udeid Air Base near the capital Doha. Additional units are stationed at Dukhan/Tamim Air Base and the military section of Doha International Airport. Current personnel strength is estimated at around 2,100, although reserve personnel may recently have been mobilized due to the ongoing regional conflict.
A pilot of the Qatar Emiri Air Force conducts the preflight inspection of a Dassault Mirage F1EDA prior to a combat mission during Operation Desert Storm. Photo: Staff Sgt. Lee F. Corkran, U.S. Air Force
Two Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing F-15QA Ababil fighters fly in formation with a U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus during Exercise Eagle Resolve 25 over Qatar on Jan. 21, 2025. The exercise highlighted allied interoperability and the U.S. commitment to regional deterrence and collective defense with Gulf Cooperation Council partners. Photo: Staff Sgt. Gerald Willis, U.S. Air Force
Organizationally, the service is structured around air bases, each controlling several air wings that in turn oversee individual squadrons. Another key component is the Al-Zaeem Air College, responsible for pilot and specialist training.
The primary missions of the air force include protection of Qatar’s airspace and maritime borders, urban centers, industrial facilities, military installations and vital sea lanes. Offshore infrastructure is particularly important for Qatar as one of the world’s leading exporters of natural gas. The service also supports both the army and navy in their operations.
A closer look at the inventory immediately reveals a combination of European and American military technology. The backbone of the fighter fleet consists of the F-15, Rafale and Typhoon multirole combat aircraft. Current combat aircraft strength approaches 106 machines, while another 60 aircraft remain on order or in production.
The Dassault Rafale represents one of the service’s most important combat assets and is regarded as a highly capable weapons system. The air force currently operates 36 aircraft, with an additional 36 scheduled for future delivery.
A similar situation applies to the Boeing F-15QA Ababil, designed for both air superiority missions and strikes against ground or maritime targets. The service currently fields 46 aircraft distributed among three combat squadrons, while another 24 remain on order. Incidentally, F-15s were reportedly responsible for the interception of the two Iranian bombers mentioned earlier. The third major combat type is the Eurofighter Typhoon, with two squadrons operating a total of 24 aircraft.
A Qatar Emiri Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000-5 departs Souda Bay, Greece, during Operation Odyssey Dawn in March 2011. The multinational operation, led by U.S. Africa Command, enforced United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 over Libya. Photo: Paul Farley, U.S. Navy
A Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter. Qatar requested the purchase of 24 AH-64Es in July 2012, with approval granted in March 2014. Deliveries of the fleet began in 2019. Photo: Colin Cooke
Qatar’s rotary-wing combat component is centered on the McDonnell Douglas AH-64E Apache, of which 24 are in service. Support helicopters include the Italian AgustaWestland AW109 (two aircraft) and AW139 (39 aircraft), employed in a wide range of roles. The fleet also includes 27 NH90 helicopters in both land and naval variants, as well as the Airbus H125 light utility helicopter.
Transport duties are carried out by four Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules and eight Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. A single Swiss-built Pilatus PC-24 business jet also serves in the transport role.
The training fleet consists of eight Pakistani-built PAC Super Mushshak turboprop trainers, followed by 24 Pilatus PC-21 advanced trainers. Jet training is conducted using nine BAE Hawk Mk.167 aircraft and six Italian Leonardo M-346 trainers, which will be discussed later. A single twin-engine PC-24 is used for transport pilot conversion training. Helicopter crews train on four AgustaWestland AW169 helicopters.
Unmanned aerial systems in Qatari service include the Turkish Baykar Bayraktar family, made famous during the early stages of the war in Ukraine, as well as the American General Atomics MQ-9B. For air defense, Qatar has acquired the long-range American MIM-104 Patriot system and the European medium-range NASAMS system.
Given the often unstable situation in neighboring countries, the Qatar Emiri Air Force has already seen operational deployment in several regional conflicts. Its first combat involvement came during the 1991 Gulf War, when Qatar joined the international coalition formed after Iraq invaded Kuwait. Qatari aircraft later participated in operations connected with the Libyan and Syrian civil wars as well as actions against Houthi forces in Yemen. The reported shootdown of the Iranian Su-24Ms marked the first air-to-air victories in the history of the Qatari Air Force. Additional interceptions of missiles and drones have also reportedly been achieved.
A Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III seen at Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport, Thailand, in November 2013. Photo: Alec Wilson
BAE Systems Hawk T.2A ‘ZB131’, operated by No. 11 Squadron, Qatar Emiri Air Force/Royal Air Force Joint Squadron, on static display at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, in 2022. Photo: Alan Wilson
Participation in multinational exercises with both Western allies and regional partners is now routine. Qatar has trained extensively with Pakistan and Turkey, among others. Qatari aircraft also took part in Greece’s Iniochos 2025 exercise, where they reportedly encountered Israeli counterparts for the first time. Another example of international cooperation is the establishment of a joint unit with the Turkish Air Force at Dukhan Air Base, where the Turkish contingent operates six General Dynamics F-16s. Incidentally, the Turkish Air Force had been expected to receive twelve second-hand Typhoons from Qatar, although it remains unclear whether the transfer proceeded due to the ongoing regional war. A similar partnership exists with the Royal Air Force, which since January this year has operated a joint Typhoon squadron with Qatar. British deployments to the unit were further reinforced in March because of the Iranian threat. Close cooperation is also maintained with the United States, which uses Al-Udeid Air Base as its largest military installation in the region.
The wide variety of equipment operated by Qatar clearly reflects the country’s determination not to become dependent on a single supplier. This policy also provides Doha with greater strategic flexibility in dealing with foreign partners. On the other hand, maintaining several advanced fourth-generation aircraft types inevitably creates increased logistical and training demands.
Another interesting aspect is the extent of overseas pilot training. In the United Kingdom, Qatari pilots train on BAE Hawk aircraft at RAF Leeming as preparation for conversion to the Typhoon. A similar arrangement exists in Italy, where the Alenia M-346 is used for advanced training. Since 2025, an agreement with the United States has also enabled training on the F-15QA at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
A lesser-known fact is the extensive use of foreign specialists and contractors throughout the Qatar Emiri Air Force. These personnel serve not only as aircrew, but also as ground technicians and instructors. The practice reflects both Qatar’s relatively small population and the rapid pace of its military expansion.
As part of the continued development of Qatar’s military capabilities, a ten-year defense cooperation agreement with Ukraine was recently signed. Ukraine is currently regarded as a global leader in counter-drone warfare, and the agreement is clearly linked to growing concerns over Iranian missile and drone attacks in the region.
Overall, the assessment of the Qatar Emiri Air Force is positive. Its equipment is modern, personnel are well trained and international cooperation continues to broaden operational experience. The main drawback remains the diversity of equipment types, which increases demands on logistics and training. At the same time, however, this diversity prevents the country from becoming strategically dependent on a single foreign partner.
Modeler’s note: Special Hobby produces a dual-kit boxing of the Dassault Mirage F.1 that includes a Qatari variant. Decal sheets for other Qatari aircraft are available separately from companies such as Caracal, Syhart, Two Bobs and Mark1, among others.
A Qatar Emiri Air Force Leonardo AW139 helicopter flies during Exercise Lahoub at Al-Qalael Drop Zone, Qatar, on May 9, 2018. The type is employed in utility, troop transport, search-and-rescue and special operations roles. Photo: Staff Sgt. Corey Hook, U.S. Air Force
A Qatar Emiri Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the United Kingdom in 2023. Photo: Oren Rozen