Military of Qatar

Qatar's defense expenditures accounted for approximately 4.2% of gross national product in 1993. Qatar maintains a modest military force of approximately 11,800 men, including an army (8,500), navy (1,800) and air force (1,500). In August 1994, Qatar signed a defense agreement with France in which it agreed to purchase 12 Mirage 2000-5 EDA/DDA aircraft. [http://www.caat.org.uk/publications/countries/qatar-1002.php] Qatar has also recently signed defense pacts with the United States and United Kingdom. Qatar plays an active role in the collective defense efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council; the other five members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman). Qatari forces played an important role in the Persian Gulf War. Fact|date=May 2008

Military Branches

*Army
*Navy
*Air Force
* No. 1 Fighter Wing -
** No. 7 Air Superiority Squadron - Mirage 2000
** No. 11 Close Support Squadron - Alpha Jet

* No. 2 Rotary Wing
** No. 6 Close Support Squadron - SA342
** No. 8 Anti-Surface Vessel Squadron - Commando Mk 3
** No. 9 Multi-Role Squadron - Commando Mk 2

Army Equipment

*EE-9 Cascavel - 20
*AMX-10P - 25
*AMX-30 - 24
*Bofors 40 mm gun
*Astros II MLRS

Air Force Equipment

* 6 AMD Alpha Jets .
* 14 Sud Aviation SA342G/L Gazelle HOT ant-tank missiles
* 12 Dassault Mirage 2000-5s
* 18 BAE Systems Hawk Mk.100s - order delayed due to budget restraints
* 12 Westland WS Commando MK 2/3 helicopter
* 2 C-17 Globemaster III on order $400-450 million
* 4 C-130J-30 Super Hercules on order $393 million
* 18 AgustaWestland AW139 on order [ [http://www.asd-network.com/press_detail/17039/Qatar_Armed_Forces_Sign_Contract_for_18_AW139_Helicopters.htm] ]
* Airbus A340-211
* Boeing 707-3P1C
* Boeing 727-2P1
* Dassault Falcon 900
* Boeing 747SP-27
* Airbus A310-304
* Airbus A320-232
* Airbus A319-133X

Military manpower

*Military age: 18 years of age
*Availability:
**Males age 15-49: 306,850:"note:" includes non-nationals (2000 est.)
*Fit for military service:
**Males age 15-49: 160,899 (2000 est.)
*Reaching military age annually:
**Males: 6,471 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures

*Dollar figure: $816 million (FY99/00)
*Percent of GDP: 8.1% (FY99/00)

July 2008, Qatar’s Emiri Air Force has signed a EUR 260 million (currently about $400 million) contract with AgustaWestland for 18 AW139 medium twin helicopters (formerly the AB139, until the Bell partnership dissolved in 2005). The helicopters will be used for utility tasks, troop transport, search and rescue, border patrol, special forces operations, law enforcement and homeland security.

The country plans to buy 2 C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft, and On July 11/08, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Qatar’s official request for logistics support, training, and associated equipment and services. The total value of the support arrangements could be as high as $400 million.

References and links

*Qatar