The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) is set to receive first recently purchased Dassault Rafale multirole fighters.
The new Rafale fighters have already painted in a full two-tone grey camouflage color scheme, and are expected to be delivered on 7 February to Qatar.
According to deputy commander of the QEAF, the first Qatari squadron will be deployed at Doha Air Base. Also noted that all fighter aircraft will arrive in the emirate between 2019 and 2022.
Qatar will operate a future fleet of 36 Dassault Rafale fighters, based on a contract signed May 2015
The Rafale is relevant against both traditional and asymmetrical threats, it addresses the emerging needs of the armed forces in a changing geopolitical context, and it remains at the forefront of technical innovation.
Thanks to its versatility, its adaptability and its ability to meet all air mission requirements, the Rafale is the “poster child” transformational fighter which provides a way forward to air forces confronted to the requirement of doing “more” with “less”, in an ever-changing strategic and economic environment.
Of a moderate size, yet extremely powerful, superbly agile and very discrete, the latest type of combat aircraft from Dassault Aviation does not only integrate the largest and most modern range of sensors, it also multiplies their efficiency with a technological breakthrough, the “multi-sensor data fusion”.
Also, early was reported that the U.S. Army Contracting Command has awarded Boeing Co. contracts for Maintenance Augmentation Team services for the Qatari Air Force AH-64E attack helicopters.