Qatar Emiri Air Force

The Qatar Air Force is the air component of the Qatar Armed Forces and is responsible for the defense of Qatar's airspace. Established in 1974, the Qatar Air Force began with a small fleet of aircraft that comprised mainly of training and transport aircraft. Over the years, the Qatar Air Force has undergone significant expansion and modernization efforts to enhance its capabilities. It is primarily equipped with fighter aircraft, including the Mirage 2000-5, and a fleet of transport and utility helicopters. The Qatar Air Force also operates unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes. In recent years, Qatar has made substantial investments in its air defense capabilities with the acquisition of advanced missile defense systems. The Qatar Air Force actively participates in joint military exercises both domestically and with other regional and international partners. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding Qatar's national security and supporting the overall defense strategy of the country.

Key facts

Official Name	Qatar Emiri Air Force
Local Name	القوات الجوية القطرية (Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Qaṭariya)
Country	🇶🇦 Qatar
World rank	#48
Active aircrafts	198 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	161
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Combat aircrafts	74
Helicopters	60
Training	52
Transport	12

Aircrafts most used by Qatari air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
Rafale	33	French twin-engine multirole fighter, known for its versatility, advanced avionics, and high maneuverability.
AH-64 Apache	24	American attack helicopter, developed during the Cold War, most famous for significant deployments in Gulf War and Afghanistan conflict.
PC-21	24	Swiss trainer aircraft, known for deployments in military aviation schools around the world since the early 21st century.
F-15E Strike Eagle	22	American all-weather multirole strike fighter, prominent in the Gulf War for precision strike and deep interdiction missions.
AW139	19	Italian multi-purpose helicopter, highly significant in SAR, EMS, offshore transportation, law enforcement roles, since its introduction in 2003.
SA340 Gazelle	13	French light utility helicopter, known for its extensive use in military and civil applications since its 1960s introduction.
Mirage 2000	12	French multirole fighter, operational since the 1980s, extensively used in numerous conflicts including the Gulf and Balkan Wars.
C-17 Globemaster III	8	American military transport aircraft, extensively deployed in global conflict zones since the 1990s for strategic airlift missions.
MFI-15 Safari	8	Swedish utility aircraft, operational since the 1960s, frequently deployed for training and light transport roles worldwide.
Alphajet	6	French-German trainer jet, known for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pilot training, used particularly from late 1970s onward.

Full inventory in 2024