| Qatar Emiri Air Force | |
|---|---|
| القوات الجوية الأميرية القطرية | |
 seal of the Qatar Emiri Air Force | |
| Founded | 1974; 52 years ago (1974) |
| Country | Qatar |
| Type | Air Force |
| Role | Aerial Warfare |
| Size | 2,000 personnel[1] |
| Part of | Qatar Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Al-Udeid Air Base |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the Qatar Emiri Air Force | Major General (Pilot) Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Dosari |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin flash |  |
| Ensign |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Rafale,Typhoon,F-15QA |
| Helicopter | NH90,AS350 Écureuil,AW139 |
| Attack helicopter | AH-64E Apache |
| Trainer | Super Mushshak,PC-21,Hawk 167,M-346 Master |
| Transport | C-130J-30 Super Hercules,C-17 Globemaster III |
TheQatar Emiri Air Force (Arabic:القوات الجوية الأميرية القطرية,romanized: Al-Quwwat Al-Jawiyah Al-Amiriyah Al-Qatariyah) (QEAF) is the air arm of thearmed forces of the state ofQatar. 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 atAl-Udeid Air Base[2] inDoha; the current commander is Major General (Pilot) Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Dosari.
In March 1967, in response to the British announcement that it would withdraw its armed forces from thePersian Gulf, Qatar set up armed forces, creating theQatar Public Security Forces Air Wing, equipped with twoWestland Whirlwind helicopters. In 1971, it acquired a combat capability when it purchased three ex-RAFHawker Hunter jet fighters, which remained in use until 1981. It was renamed theQatar Emiri Air Force in 1974.[3]
The air force began a major expansion in 1979, when it ordered sixAlpha Jet trainer/light attack aircraft. This was followed by orders for 14Mirage F1 supersonic jet fighters in 1980, which were delivered between 1980 and 1984. TwelveGazelle helicopters, armed withHOT anti-tank missiles were received from 1983. Also in 1983, the air force took over the Qatar Police Air Wing.[4]
In 1991, the Qatari Air Force took part in theGulf War on the side of the allies.[5]
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 US26th Marine Expeditionary Unit took part in this exercise to validate the nation's crisis management plan prior to hosting the2006 Asian Games.
Other acquisitions have been for an order of 59AW139 helicopters.[6] 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 forMedevac services.[7]
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 theC-17A Globemaster III. Aircraft either flew out of al-Udeid field orDoha International Airport and received training from British instructors. In January 2011, the Air Force evaluated theEurofighter Typhoon, theLockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, theBoeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, theMcDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle and theDassault Rafale to replace its current fighter inventory of Dassault Mirage 2000-5s.[8] In May 2015, the QAF awarded the contract for 24 Dassault Rafale fighters worth €6.3 billion ($7 billion).[9][10]
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.[11][12] The deal (for 36 planes plus an option for 36 more),[13] valued at US$21.1 billion, was signed in November 2016.[14]
In September 2017, the QAF ordered 24 Typhoon fighter jets from the UK.[15]In December 2017, the QAF ordered 12 additional Rafale fighter jets from France, with an option for 36 more.[16]
In August 2018, Qatar announced the construction of a new air base to be named after EmirTamim bin Hamad Al Thani. In addition to the new air base,Al Udeid Air Base andDoha International Air Base are to be expanded in order to accommodate aircraft on order.[17]
Recent research, the latest of which was published in November 2024, uncovers corruption and bribery related to Qatar’s growing influence over the past decade. The country’s choice of military aircraft also raises suspicion: it includes three different types of planes from three different countries, each requiring distinct maintenance and repair contracts—an unusually complex arrangement for such a small nation. Several companies engaged in business partnerships with Qatar have been ordered to pay penalties in connection with bribery charges.[18][19][20][21][22]
On 10 October 2025Secretary of DefensePete Hesgeth announced that a formal letter of acceptance had been signed withQatar to establish an Qatar Air Force facility atMountain Home Air Force Base inIdaho. It shall host a contingent ofF-15s.[23][24]
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| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | |||||
| Dassault Mirage 2000 | France | Multirole fighter | 2000-5EDA | 9[27] | 9 ordered in 1994.[41] |
| Alphajet | France / Germany | Light attack aircraft | Alphajet E | 6[27] | |
| Trainer aircraft | |||||
| Dassault Mirage 2000 | France | Conversion trainer | 2000-5DDA | 3[27] | 3 ordered in 1994.[41] |
Previous notable aircraft operated consisted of theMirage 2000,Westland Commando,Hawker Hunter,Dassault Mirage F1,Piper PA-34 Seneca,Boeing 707,Boeing 727,Westland Whirlwind,Britten-Norman Islander, and theAérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopter.[43][44][45]
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 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 | |||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
During 2024 it was reported that theRTX Corporation, the U.S. defense contractor formerly known as Raytheon, has agreed to pay a criminal fine of around $252 million, as part of a settlement with the U.S. government over charges that it paid bribes to secure defense contracts with Qatar.[46] The report states this is an agreement, that resolves charges under theForeign Corrupt Practices Act and related statutes, comes as part of broader fraud and bribery claims tied to its overseas dealings.[46]
