Qatar Armed Forces - Qatar Emiri Air Force

The Qatar Emiri Air Force was formed in 1974, three years after achieving independence from Great Britain in 1971. Initially equipped with ex-RAF Hawker Hunters, the air force soon began expansion with six Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets in 1979. Fourteen Dassault Mirage F1 were delivered between 1980-84. After the Gulf War, Qatar's air force infrastructure was upgraded by France for $200 million, leading to the order of nine single Mirage 2000-5DEA multi-role combat aircraft and three two seat Mirage 2000-5DDA combat trainers in August 1994. Deliveries started in December 1997, and involved the buy back of the remaining 11 Mirage F1s by France that were later sold on to Spain., The current commander of the Qatar Emiri Air Force is Brigadier General Mubarak Mohammed Al Kumait Al Khayarin.

British pilots in Oman remain on duty with the air force, and French specialists are employed in a maintenance capacity. Nevertheless, an increasing number of young Qataris have been trained as pilots and technicians.

Its units include:

• No. 1 Fighter Wing
  • No. 7 Air Superiority Squadron – Dassault Mirage 2000 France
    • 9 single-seat Mirage 2000-5EDA
    • 3 2000-5DDA trainers
  • No. 11 Close Support Squadron – Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet France/ Germany
• No. 2 Rotary Wing
  • No. 6 Close Support Squadron – Eurocopter SA342 Europe
  • No. 8 Anti-Surface Vessel Squadron – Westland Sea King Commando Mk 3
  • No. 9 Multi-Role Squadron – Westland Sea King Commando Mk 2
• Qatar Amiri Flight – C-17 Globemaster III United States

As of January 1993, all the air force's aircraft were based at Doha International Airport.