Qatar Air Force
The Qatar Emiri Air Force ( QEAF ) is the air force of the Emirate of Qatar.
History
The Qatar Emiri Air Force was founded in 1974, three years after independence from Great Britain.
The equipment was in the beginning, mainly of British origin, such as the Hawker Hunter. After obtaining the Mirage F1 in 1980 began a swirl on the arms suppliers France, where in addition to the aircraft fleet and the entire infrastructure of Militärflufplätze was renewed.
The Qatari Air Force has still largely British pilots and French ground staff. In order to complement the future, or even to replace entirely, increasingly young Qataris are trained as pilots and aircraft mechanics.
The QEAF consists of two squadrons, one with combat aircraft and one with support aircraft and helicopters.
Since early 2011, the QEAF evaluated some combat aircraft to replace the obsolete Mirage 2000-5. This Euro Fighter, F -35 Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F- 15E and the Dassault Rafale to be considered a potential candidate. The order volume amounts to 24-36 aircraft.
Airbases
Current equipment
In March 2014 ( pre-) ordered the country at the fair DIMDEX in their own country, among others, two Airbus A330-200, three Boeing 737 AEW & C, 24 Boeing AH- 64E and 22 NH90 ( TTH 12, 10 NFH).
Aircraft
As of the end of 2013
Helicopter
As of the end of 2013