Qatar Emiri Air Force سلاح الجو الأميري القطري | Aircraft Inventory | The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) was formed in 1974, a few years after gaining independence from United Kingdom in 1971.
Initially equipped with ex-UK's Royal Air Force Hawker Hunters, . The UK also delivered Westland built Commando, Whirlwind and Lynx Helicopters while France provided Alpha Jets and Sud Aviation SA342 Gazelles. The Mirage 2000s currently Constitution the fighter-backbone of the QEAF
According to Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment - The Gulf States (dated: Oct 17, 2011) the Qatar Emiri Air Force
Its equipment is of 1980s vintage and urgently needs to be replaced by more modern helicopters. This process began in 2009 with the delivery of the first of more than 20 AgustaWestland AW139 medium utility helicopters.
Until recently, Qatar lacked transport capability, although this shortcoming has been partly addressed by the receipt of two Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs in August 2009; airlift potential will be further enhanced with the delivery of four examples of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules in 2011-12.
Commander of the Air Force: General Mubarak al-Khayarin
Air Force Personnel Strength: 1,500
Inventory Summary:
- Combat: 12 (total), 12 (in service)
- Transport: 10 (total), 9 (in service)
- Helicopters: 28 (total), 28 (in service)
|
Aircraft |
Type |
Versions |
In service |
|
Notes |
Combat Capable |
|
|
|
|
|
Dassault Mirage 2000 |
Multirole fighter |
Mirage 2000-5 |
12 |
|
|
Hawker HP 800XP |
VIP transport |
|
1 |
|
|
Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet |
Advanced trainer/light attack |
Alpha Jet E |
6 |
|
|
Trainer |
|
|
|
|
|
BAe Hawk 200\203 |
Jet trainer\CAS |
|
|
|
18 ordered |
Transport |
|
|
|
|
|
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III |
Strategic air transport |
C-17A |
2 |
|
|
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules |
Tactical air transport |
C-130J-30 |
4 |
|
Four, delivered Sep-Oct 2011 |
Transport |
|
|
|
|
|
Airbus 340 |
VIP transport |
|
2 |
|
|
Airbus 320 |
VIP transport |
|
1 |
|
|
Airbus 310 |
VIP transport |
|
1 |
|
|
Airbus 300 |
VIP transport |
|
1 |
|
|
Boeing 747SP |
Transport |
|
2 |
|
|
Boeing 707 |
VIP transport |
|
2 |
|
|
Dassault Falcon 900 |
VIP transport |
|
2 |
|
|
Boeing 727 |
VIP transport |
|
1 |
|
|
Helicopters |
|
|
|
|
|
Aérospatiale Gazelle |
Utility/attack helicopter |
SA 342G |
12 |
|
Armed with Euromissile HOT anti-tank missiles. |
|
|
SA 342L |
2 |
|
|
AgustaWestland AW139 |
Tactical transport/medivac |
|
5 |
|
Order in August 2008, order being delivered 21 i total |
Westland Lynx HC-28 |
Helicopter |
|
3 (status unknown) |
|
Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma |
Helicopter |
|
12 (6 SA-330J+6 SA-332F Super-Puma\SA-532 Cougar) |
|
|
|
|
|
Information sources: please see
HERE