Strana 10
QATAR EMIRI AIR FORCE
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.
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.
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
INFO Eduard10
June 2026