The Website for Aviation Enthusiasts
| Squadron | Type | Base |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 Fighter Wing | ||
| No.7 (Air Superiority) Squadron | Mirage 2000-5 | Al Udeid |
| No.11 (Close Support) Squadron | Alpha Jet | Al Udeid |
| No.2 Rotary Wing | ||
| No.6 (Close Support) Squadron | SA342L Gazelle | Al Udeid |
| No.8 (Anti-Surface Vessel) Squadron | Commando Mk.3 | Al Udeid |
| No.9 (Multi-Role) Squadron | Commando Mk.2 | Al Udeid |
| Aircraft Type | Total Del’d | Total Active | Still on Order | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospatiale SA 342L Gazelle | 14 | 12 | 0 | Anti-Armour |
| AgustaWestland AW139 | 18 | 18 | 0 | Transport/SAR/Patrol |
| Airbus A330 MRTT | 0 | 0 | 2 | Tanker/Transport |
| Boeing 737 AEW | 0 | 0 | 3 | AEW |
| Boeing AH-64E Apache | 0 | 0 | 24 | Attack |
| Boeing C-17A Globemaster III | 4 | 4 | 0 | Transport |
| Dassault Mirage 2000-5DDA | 3 | 3 | 0 | Training |
| Dassault Mirage 2000-5EDA | 9 | 9 | 0 | Fighter-Bomber |
| Dassault-Breguet Dornier Alpha Jet 1A | 6 | 6 | 0 | Training/Light Attack |
| Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules | 4 | 4 | 0 | Transport |
| NHI NH90 | 0 | 0 | 22 | Utility |
| Pilatus PC-21 | 2 | 2 | 22 | Trainer |
| Westland Commando Mk.2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Utility Transport |
| Westland Commando Mk.3 | 8 | 7 | 0 | Anti-Ship Attack |
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospatiale SA342L Gazelle | 14 | 1978 | current | France |
| AgustaWestland AW139 | 18* | 2010 | – | Italy |
| Boeing C-17A Globemaster III | 2 | 2009 | current | USA |
| Dassault Mirage F.1DDA | 3 | 1982 | 1997 | France |
| Dassault Mirage F.1EDA | 12 | 1982 | 1997 | France |
| Dassault Mirage 2000-5DDA | 3 | 1997 | current | France |
| Dassault Mirage 2000-5EDA | 9 | 1997 | current | France |
| Dassault-Breguet Dornier Alpha Jet 1A | 6 | 1980 | current | France |
| Hawker Hunter FGA.78 | 3 | 1971 | 1981 | UK |
| Hawker Hunter T.79 | 1 | 1971 | 1981 | UK |
| Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules | 4* | 2011 | – | USA |
| Westland Commando Mk.2 | 4 | 1975 | current | UK |
| Westland Commando Mk.3 | 8 | 1982 | current | UK |
| Westland Gazelle | 2 | 1983 | 1992 | Police |
| Westland Whirlwind 3 | 2 | 1968 | 1976 | UK |
* = on order
# = on delivery
This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Qatar Emiri Air Force since its formation:
Main MarkingFin Flash
1968-1974
The national markings carried by the Air Wing of the Public Security Forces are not known.
1974-present
With the establishment of the QEAF a national marking of maroon, gold and white was adopted. This is displayed in the standard 6 positions (i.e. above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage) on aircraft – but on fuselage sides only on helicopters. The fin flash, crossed Qatar flags on black, is displayed on the tailfin. Aircraft do not carry service titles.
This page gives details of some of the aircraft types that were offered or promised to the Qatar Emiri Air Force but not delivered, cancelled official orders, and types have been falsely reported as being in service.
Aerospatiale SA330J Puma
Six examples reportedly in service 1981 to 1986.
Aerospatiale AS332F Super Puma
Six AS332F Super Pumas were reported to be in service 1982 to 1998.
Britten Norman BN-2A Islander
One example reportedly in use 1976 to 1988.
British Aerospace Hawk
A November 1996 order for 12 Hawk 100s was later cancelled.
History
Narrative Summary
Prior to independence from Britain, Qatar had established an Air Wing of the Public Security Forces to fly Westland Whirlwind helicopters. In late 1971 these helicopters were supplemented by a small number of Hawker Hunters. In 1974 the Air Wing was formally upgraded to air force status, and renamed the Qatar Emiri Air Force. The Hunters were later replaced by Mirage F.1s and then Mirage 2000s. At the same time, more helicopters were acquired to replace the ageing Whirlwinds. In 2008 orders were placed for C-130J and C-17 transports, to allow Qatar to provide humanitarian aid around the world and raise its public profile on the international stage.
Key Dates
| 1968 | Air Wing of the Public Security Forces first established | |
| 1968 | First helicopters received – Westland Whirlwind | |
| 1971 | First jet aircraft delivered – Hawker Hunter | |
| 1974 | Qatar Emiri Air Force created from the Air Wing of the Public Security Forces |
Current Status
Since the Air Defence of Qatar is principally undertaken by USAF fighters based at Al Udeid, the QEAF concentrates on providing direct support for army and navy surface units with helicopters and light attack aircraft. The recent procurement of a relatively large transport fleet is intended to provide humanitarian aid rather than facilitate expeditionary warfare operations.
Future Plans
Take delivery of 18 AW139 helicopters to replace the Westland Commando
Take delivery of four C-130J-30 transports.
Qatar has an option for two more C-17s.
National Insignia
Current — Historical
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The Qatar military serial numbering system consists of the two-letter prefix ‘QA’ (Qatar Air Force) and a two digit mumber, e.g. QA11 for Hunter FGA.78 and QA91 for Mirage 2000-5EDA.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used.
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
False reports of aircraft on order or in service
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Doha.
Organisational Structure
The QEAF is organised into two wings, No.1 Fighter Wing and No.2 Rotary Wing. The five operational squadrons are subordinate to these two wings.
Current Order of Battle
Table of Current Order of Battle
Historical Orders of Battle
List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.
All-Time Flying Units List
To be added.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
The main air base is officially Al Udeid, but most flying operations actually take place from Dhoha International Airport.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
The main bases used are Al Udeid and Doha International Airport. A number of outlying desert strips are also available for helicopter operations.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.
More Information
Books
Qatar Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.
Magazines
To be added.
Websites
Scramble: Qatar Emiri Air Force
History
Narrative Summary
A small Police Air Wing was established in 1974, to operate a few British-supplied helicopters. The AIr Wing was absorbed by the Air Force in 1983.
Key Dates
| 1974 | Police Air Wing established. | |
| 1983 | Air Wing absorbed into the Air Force. |
Current Status
The Air Wing was absorbed into the Air Force in 1983.
Future Plans
Not applicable.
Markings
National Insignia
None appear to have been carried. No service titles or fin flash have been observed.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The Qatar Police serialling system comprised a one or two-figure number for each airframe, prefixed by the letter QP, e.g. QP-31.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Not applicable.
All-Time Aircraft Used List
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin | Westland Gazelle | 2 | 1974 | 1983 | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westland Lynx Mk.28 | 3 | 1977 | 1983 | UK |
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Not known.
Organisational Structure
Not applicable.
Current Order of Battle
Not applicable.
Historical Orders of Battle
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
All helicopters were operated from an unknown base.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
Not applicable.
More Information
Books
To be added
Magazines
None known.
Websites
Narrative Summary
The Qatar Amiri Flight was first established circa 1975 to provide VIP Transport for the Royal Family. The Flight has expanded considerably since its formation and now provides charter flights for many Qatari VIPs.
| 1975? | Qatar Amiri Flight first established. |
The aircraft of the Qatar Amiri Flight are maintained and flown by personnel from Qatar Airways.
No information.
Most Qatar Amiri Flight aircraft now fly in full Qatar Airways markings. No national markings are carried, except for a small national flag on the rear fuselage. No Amiri Flight titles are displayed. Until the 1990s, the aircraft flew in a redish-brown and white colour scheme with the ‘State of Qatar’ seal on the fin.
All Qatar Amiri Flight aircraft carry civilian registrations in the A7-xxx series.
Coding system not used
None – Manufacturers designations used
| Aircraft Type | Total Del’d | Total Active | Still on Order | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A310-300 | 2 | 1 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Airbus A319-133X | 1 | 1 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Airbus A320-232 | 1 | 1 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Airbus A330-203 | 2 | 2 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Airbus A340-211/313X | 1/1 | 1 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Airbus A340-541 | 1 | 1 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Boeing 737-8KB | 1 | 1 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Bombardier BD700 Global Express | 2 | 2 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Canadair Challenger 300 | 1 | 1 | 0 | VIP Transport |
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin | Airbus A310-300 | 2 | 1997 | current | France |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-133X | 1 | 2001 | current | France |
| Airbus A320-232 | 1 | 1999 | current | France |
| Airbus A330-203 | 2 | 2002 | current | France |
| Airbus A340-211/313X | 1/1 | 1993 | current | France |
| Airbus A340-541 | 1 | 2006 | current | France |
| BAC VC10 | 1 | 1975 | 1981 | BOAC |
| Boeing 707 | 2 | 1978 | 1999 | USA |
| Boeing 727 | 1 | 1979 | 1997 | USA |
| Boeing 737-8KB | 1 | 2008 | current | USA |
| Boeing 747SP-21 | 2 | 1996 | 2007 | USA |
| Bombardier BD700 Global Express | 2 | 2003 | current | Canada |
| Canadair Challenger 300 | 1 | 2005 | current | Canada |
| Dassault Falcon 900 | 2 | 1991 | 2000 | France |
| Hawker 800XP | 1 | 2003 | 2004 | USA |
Some reports confuse the Airbus A300 with the A310 that was actually used.
Not known.
All aircraft were based at Doha International Airport.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
All aircraft are based at Doha International Airport.
See above.
To be added
To be added
| 1700s | Ottoman (Turkish) Empire takes control of the area. | |
| 18th Century | Arab al-Thanis dynasty assumes control of Qatar. | |
| 1861 | Qatar becomes a British protectorate. | |
| 1968 | British forces withdraw from the Gulf region. | |
| 1971 | Qatar is granted full independence by Britain. | |
| March 1981 | Qatar is a founder member of Gulf Cooperation Council. | |
| 2 August 1990 | Iraq invades Kuwait. | |
| August 1990-mid 1991 | Qatar hosts British forces before and during the Gulf War. | |
| 1995 | Ruling Shaikh Khalifa overthrown by Shaikh Hamad. | |
| 1999 | First elections for new municipal council. |
