Qatar Emiri Air Fore Mirage 2000-5 and Royal Air Force Typhoon during "Epic Sky" exercise which was concluded on November 2017

[VIDEO]: Qatar Emiri Air Fore Mirage 2000-5 and Royal Air Force Typhoon during "Epic Sky" exercise which was concluded on November 2017 pic.twitter.com/sgzklZs1Mz

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Alrayyan TV - Qatar Leopard 2A7+ Main Battle Tanks Training Exercise

Qatar Concludes Rafale Agreement At DIMDEX 2016

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/15719/Qatar_Concludes_Rafale_Agreement_At_DIMDEX_2016#.Vv5KNvl97IV

Qatar has officially signed a contract to purchase 24 Dassault Rafale fighters on the first day of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX), held from March 29-31.

At the show, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Khalid Al-Attiah, signed the final agreement, Arabian Aerospace reported.

The agreement worth $7.5 billion includes an order for 24 Rafale fighter jets, with an option on a further 12 and training of 36 Qatari pilots and technicians by the French military.

Qatar had earlier made an initial payment for the aircraft in December. The sale to Qatar boosts sales for prime contractor Dassault, radar and systems specialist Thales, and engine-builder Safran. MBDA will supply the missiles.

State of Qatar food packets for ISIS

Qatar goes on spending spree

In recent years, the Middle East has become the highest spending region of the world for defence, and a lucrative market for many of the world’s manufacturers. Leading the spending for many years has been Saudi Arabia, closely followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Now, Qatar is utilising its oil and gas dollars to not only greatly enhance its own defences, but also to enable it to play a much larger part in multinational peacekeeping operations.Qatar has maintained a modest defence force for some time, but recently has begun an expansion in capability that will ultimately place it alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the forefront of Gulf defence. That expansion first began with the acquisition of Lockheed Martin C-130J and Boeing C-17 transports, the latter soon being pressed into service on international humanitarian support operations.

However, the full extent of Qatar’s expansive ambitions was revealed in March this year. On the last day of the Dimdex show in Doha, Qatar unveiled a list of orders that, when delivered, will greatly reshape the country’s armed forces. Altogether, the potential order book announced in Doha adds up to a staggering figure of more than $23 billion.The orders cover new equipment for all three services, and not only represent a major recapitalisation of the existing fleet, but also signi ficant extensions in the range of capabilities the armed forces can muster.As well as bolstering the nation’s defence – particularly in the realm of protecting Qatar’s vital o- shore oil and gas fields from potential attack by Iran – the new equipment will allow Qatar to undertake long-range deployments in support of multinational operations, following the successful employment of Qatari Mirage 2000 fighters in support of NATO’s Libyan campaign.

In dollar terms, the lead item in Qatar’s shopping list is the Raytheon Patriot PAC-3 air defence system, for which Lockheed Martin provides the PAC-3 interceptors. The deal is thought to include 11 re units, and PAC-2 GEM-T interceptors to augment the PAC-3s. Qatar is also interested in acquiring the THAAD system for high-altitude defence. In terms of new air capability, Qatar has selected the Airbus A330 multirole tanker/transport to fulfil a need for aerial refuelling and long-range deployment support. In so doing, Qatar has become the third Gulf nation to select the Airbus tanker, following Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Qatar Emiri Air Force will also receive three Boeing 737 AEW&C airborne early warning aircraft to enhance air and maritime defence capability. Qatar is the fourth customer for this system, after Australia, Korea and Turkey. e country also announced plans to enhance its surveillance capabilities through the development of an optionally piloted air vehicle with partner Thales.Lockheed Martin has been contracted to establish and operate a new air force training academy.

Qatar has already ordered the Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainer and the first is due for delivery in the coming weeks, but a jet-powered advanced/weapons trainer is also likely to be the subject of an order in the near future. Despite the large number of orders and selections announced at Dimdex, there was, however, no mention of Qatar’s outstanding new fighter requirement, for which a number of manufacturers are vying. Sources suggest that up to 72 new aircraft are required to supplant the existing Mirage 2000‑5 squadron.
Another major enhancement in capability will come with the delivery of 24 Boeing AH‑64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, which will supersede a small unit equipped with ageing Gazelle helicopters. According to the request to US Congress, the Apache deal will also include Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, Stinger air-to-air missiles and Hydra 70 unguided rockets. As well as their traditional battlefield roles, the Apaches are seen as being a key weapon in defending offshore oil/ gas installations. Another helicopter type that Qatar has agreed to buy is the NH Industries NH90, of which 22 are to be procured; 12 will be in the battlefield assault transport configuration, and 10 outfitted for maritime ASW/frigate duties.

While air and air defence assets dominated the headlines of the announcements, the army and naval forces are also to be bolstered through new acquisitions. The Qatari coastguard is to buy 17 fast patrol vessels from the Turkish Ares shipyard, in 46m (two), 33m (10) and 23m (five) versions. The navy is to get six 50m axe-bow vessels and a 52m diving support vessel from Qatari shipyard Nakilat Damen.Meanwhile, the Qatari army has already announced plans to buy PzH 2000 155mm self-propelled guns and Leopard 2 main battle tanks from German manufacturer KMW. It is also to get Javelin shoulder-launched anti-armour missiles from the Raytheon/ Lockheed Martin joint venture.



http://www.janes.com/article/37584/qatar-goes-on-spending-spree

Qatar buys helicopters, missiles in $23-billion deals

Gulf Arab and Middle Eastern countries are looking to acquire new high-tech military equipment to protect themselves from neighbouring Iran and internal threats after the Arab Spring uprising.

Qatar plans to buy 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters

Photo: Wikipedia

Three Boeing 737 Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) - Below is one from Turkish air force

Photo: Wikipedia

Qatar also plans to buy 22 NH90 military helicopters - Below is one from German Luftwaffe.

Photo: Wikipedia

Qatar announced contracts worth about $23-billion (U.S.) on Thursday to buy attack helicopters, guided missiles, tankers and other weapons from Boeing Co., Airbus SAS and other arms makers as the Gulf state accelerates its military build-up.Qatar, and other Gulf Arab and Middle Eastern countries are looking to acquire new high-tech military equipment to protect themselves from neighbouring Iran and internal threats after the Arab Spring uprising.

Boeing confirmed that the announcement included a contract to buy 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and three Boeing 737 Airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.The deal for the helicopters was valued at 8.9 billion riyals, said the spokeswoman for the conference.

Qatar also committed to buy a Patriot missile defence system built by Raytheon equipped with PAC-3 missiles made by Lockheed; advanced daytime, high-definition sensors and radars for Apache helicopters; and Javelin missiles built by a Lockheed-Raytheon joint venture, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Raytheon had told analysts in January that it expected to finalize an order with Qatar in the first half of 2014 for more than $2-billion in Patriot missile defence system equipment.The Pentagon approved the sale to Qatar of $9.9-billion worth of Patriot fire units, radars, and various Raytheon and Lockheed missiles in November 2012.

France’s Defense Ministry also said Qatar had agreed to buy 22 NH90 military helicopters from a unit of European aerospace group Airbus worth €2-billion ($2.76-billion) and two Airbus-made refuelling tankers.

Qatar Coast Guard Services orders 17 new fast patrol boats from ARES Shipyard

Photo : http://www.ares.com.tr/index.php?page=430

The Qatar Coast Guard Services placed an order for 17 new fast patrol boast from Turkish company ARES Shipyard.The deal of 17 vessels consists in 10x "ARES 110 Hercules" multi-role patrol craft, 5x "ARES 75 Hercules" multi-role patrol craft and 2x "ARES 150 Hercules" multi-role patrol craft. These Fast Patrol Boats will be constructed using advanced composite materials and are expected to be completed within the next 5 years.

The "ARES 110 Hercules" multi-role patrol craft is intended for littoral and coastal waters law-enforcement, open sea rescue operations and naval duties. It is 33 meters in length and displaces 117 tons. Its maximum speed is 47 knots.