The State of Qatar and Qatar Armed Forces

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The State of Qatar and Qatar Armed Forces The State of Qatar is in the world the State of crime rate, according a peninsula located Qatar has a total land to the World Economic

amid the western area of 11,610 km2 (4,483 Forum. by İbrahim SÜNNETÇİ coast of the Arabian sq. miles). According Gulf. The peninsula is to United Nations (UN) Military Service allowed female Qatari citizens to join the Army approximately 100 km estimations, dated Since April 2015, when and extended compulsory across and extends August 2019, the State of the National Service Law military service to one 200 km into the Gulf. Qatar’s total population entered into force, Qatar year. With this step the Qatar adopted its first is 2,839 million. With has made it mandatory State of Qatar has sought written constitution in some 340,000 people, for Qatari citizens to to increase its limited April 1970 and became Qataris are considered be conscripted in the manpower (citizen- fully independent from a ‘minority’ in their own Army. Until April 2018, soldiers) for the Armed the United Kingdom nation amounting to only Qatari men between the Forces. According to on September 1, 1971. 12% of the population. ages of 18 and 35 years Law No. 5 of 2018 on The State of Qatar Foreign workers amount old must train in the compulsory national is a sovereign and to around 88% of the military for at least three service program issued independent Arab state population, with Indians months if they are college by the Emir Sheikh Tamim that has been ruled by being the largest graduates, and four Bin Hamad Al-THANI on the Thani Family since community numbering months if they have high April 4, 2018 Wednesday, Jassim Bin Mohammad around 700,000. school diplomas or have those who refuse to Al-THANI signed a treaty dropped out of school. with the UK in 1868 that Nowadays, the State of participate in military recognized its separate Qatar is one of the safest In April 2018, amid the service without an excuse status. countries in the world ongoing Gulf Crisis, Qatar can face imprisonment of with the seventh-lowest one month to a year or a Having emerged as fine between US$13,700 one of the world’s most to US$82,400. important producers of oil and gas and is Under the current the richest country on legislation the Ministry of earth, the State of Qatar Interior and the Ministry has been governed by of Public Health and HH Sheikh Tamim Bin other bodies concerned Hamad Bin Khalifa Al- are required to provide THANI since June 2013. the National Services As one of the smallest Soldiers at Military Parade on Qatar National Day in Academy during the nations by size and area December 2018 first half of each year the

20 names of males who will be turning 18 years of age in the following year. The Qatari male must present himself to the National Services Academy within 60 days from the date of attaining the age of 18 or obtaining the high school certificate or the equivalent, whichever is earlier. The national service for females of the age of 18 is voluntary. Foreign Contract Qatari Emiri Air Force troops on parade

Soldiers its citizens. Relatively Gulf states that the In early June 2017 the Gulf Excluding Iraq and Saudi cheaper than citizen- highest proportion of Crisis broke out when a Arabia, the Arab states of soldiers, foreign contract foreign contract soldiers handful of Arab states the Persian Gulf (namely soldiers can also be serve. Reports indicate led by Saudi Arabia (the Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, dismissed with no political that up to 85% of the Qatar de facto leader of the Oman, Qatar, Saudi liability. Armed Forces’ manpower GCC) abruptly severed Arabia and the United consist of foreign contract diplomatic relations According to open Arab Emirates) have soldiers. In October 2017 with the State of Qatar sources experiencing small citizen populations ‘Somali Garowe Online’ and imposed a blockade a struggle of limited that limit their ability to revealed that in 2016 Qatar on the State of Qatar. manpower for its Armed strengthen their Armed recruited 6,000 Somali In response to threats Forces, Qatar is not only Forces with the available soldiers to increase its from Saudi Arabia, extending its compulsory pool of citizens. defense force in addition Bahrain, the UAE and national service program to at least 360 Sudanese Egypt, Qatar launched Therefore, thanks to their from 3 to 4 months to mercenaries to defend a massive multi-billion rich financial wealth most 12 months and allowing and protect Qatar’s Head dollar military power of the Arab states that volunteer females to of State. The growing buildup. This massive border the Persian Gulf join the Army, but also imbalance between re-equipment program (Arabian Gulf), prefer to recruits large numbers of citizens and non-native however has raised a recruit large numbers of foreign contract soldiers personnel recruited from series of questions about contracted soldiers from to overcome manpower other countries in the the country’s ability to other countries, including limitations. As a wealthy Qatari Armed Forces has incorporate the ordered Jordan, Pakistan, Sudan oil and gas power, Qatar turned into an urgent sophisticated weapon and Indonesia to is one of the three Persian concern since 2017. systems and platforms strengthen their Armies’ manpower. The foreign contract soldiers (mostly non-native Sunni Muslims and do not speak the local dialect or do not speak Arabic at all) generally have no political interests to pursue and seldom participate in attempts to overthrow the regime. They also have no social links to the native population, so in case of domestic social unrests the state can deploy them The "Al Zubarah" Corvette, first of four Doha Class air defense corvettes with confidence against

21 (including 24 x Eurofighter Typhoon, 36 x Rafale and 36 x F-15QA fighter jets as well as Doha Class air defense corvettes, OPV/ FACM type ships, cadet training ships and an air defense LPD) into its military amid a crisis faced with the above mentioned Gulf nations. Considering the availability of citizen- soldiers/staff officers, Qatar is believed to Dassault - Rafale be recruiting further foreign contract usually adopted when the coup. While continuing Bahrain, the United Arab soldiers/staff officers state is unable to achieve implementation of the Emirates (UAE) and Egypt to operate acquired a balance of power with method of joint military severed diplomatic and sophisticated weaponry its adversary on its own. building with an increased trade relations with the and to compensate trend, after the Gulf Crisis country. for existing staffing Due to the geopolitical the State of Qatar has shortage. Proving this power imbalance with realized that this method Historically, Qatar has expectation according its neighbors the State could not be adopted as a been a major defense to Aviation International of Qatar has adopted single option like before, partner to the United News, the first batch the method of joint but rather, as a parallel States, starting most of pilots trained for the military building, since option to self-building. notably after Operation Qatari Emiri Air Force in 1996. Through the Qatar currently hosts Desert Storm in 1991, France in November 2017 construction of military some 13,000 US troops when the US-Qatar were Pakistani exchange bases for foreign troops at Al Udeid Air Base and Defense Cooperation officers. In February 2018 in its territories the State at As Sayliyah Army Base Agreement (DCA) was the Express Tribune, a of Qatar has aimed to as well as some 2,000 signed. Located at 35km Pakistani publication, bring in foreign troops to Turkish soldiers (including southwest of Doha, the Al reported that 627 safeguard Qatari defense. Turkish Army, Navy and Udeid Air Base is home to Pakistani personnel, Special Forces personnel) over 11,000 US troops and The presence of the Qatar including 165 from the at the Tariq Bin Ziyad and is considered the largest Armed Forces and foreign Pakistan Army and 462 Khalid Bin Walid military US military base in the troops operating together from the Pakistan Navy barracks outside Doha. Middle East. Constructed could aid in the formation and Air Force, were Turkey has been a major in 1996 at the cost of more of steadfast alliances to deployed in Qatar. The supporter of the State than US$1 Billion the deter a potential foreign report added nearly 300 of Qatar since June 2017, base also houses Qatari assault or an internal additional personnel when Saudi Arabia, Emiri Air Force and US- could be deployed to Qatar for “training and advisory” roles. Foreign Troops

Most of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf consider the presence of foreign troops in their territories essential to fend off internal coups and foreign invasions. The method of joint military building, which is less expensive, more flexible and responsive to variables, is

chose Turkey as an ally and allowed the country to open a military base in its territories. Turkey’s military involvement in Doha dates back to December 19, 2014, when the two countries inked a military cooperation agreement that allows the deployment of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in the State of Qatar. The Patriot PAC-3 launcher on Qatar's National Day Parade agreement was ratified by the Turkish Parliament led anti-ISIL coalition and improved quarters Qatar the As Sayliyah Army (TBMM) on March 19, forces and over 100 along with new schools, Base was established 2015. The first group of operational aircraft. The a sophisticated medical in 2000. As the largest Turkish troops arrived in Al Udeid Air Base serves center, more recreational US Army prepositioning the capital city of Doha on as the headquarters facilities and family site in the world the base October 4, 2015, and four for the US Central compounds, 200 villas in stores prepositioned days later the Turkish flag Command (officially total, aiming to improve equipment for CENTCOM, was hoisted at Turkey’s called the Combined Air the living conditions of most of which is on new permanent military and Space Operations US Air Force personnel reserves for use in Iraq and base that was set up Center), US Air Force stationed there. In early Afghanistan. at the Tariq Bin Ziyad Central Command and June 2017, the Pentagon military barracks under the Forward Command said that the diplomatic Turkey and Qatar’s an agreement signed Center for US Special tensions between Qatar defense ties have in December 2014. The Operations. The base has and some of its Arab strengthened in recent establishment of Turkey’s key strategic importance neighbors would not years, in line with the permanent military base in the US air campaign affect US operations at countries’ political (which was named the against the Islamic State the Air Base. In April 2018, alliance. In order to resist Qatar-Turkey Combined (ISIL) in Syria and Iraq with the then Saudi Foreign the Saudi Arabia (the de Joint Force Command in 80% of aerial refueling Minister Adel Al-UBEIR facto leader of the GCC) December 2017) in Doha in the region took place said if the US withdraws led pressures within the at the Tariq Bin Ziyad there. In January 2019, the military base and Gulf Cooperation Council military barracks was a memorandum of the protection that its (GCC/an alliance of six Gulf completed in April 2016. understanding (MoU) was presence provides to monarchies; Saudi Arabia, According to reports signed between the US Qatar, the regime in Doha Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab the base has a capacity Department of Defense “would fall there in less Emirates, Bahrain, and to accommodate up (DoD) and the State of than a week.” Oman that came into to 5,000 troops and Qatar to coordinate existence with an aim to Turkey plans to gradually efforts on the expansion Located in Al Sailiya, a create regional security increase the number of Al Udeid Air Base, which suburb outside Doha, system), the State of Qatar of its forces in Qatar to would help to increase operational capabilities of US forces. In July 2019 after his meeting with US President Donald TRUMP, Head of the State of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al-THANI said Qatar would pay for the expansion of the air base. The expansion Turkish MoND Turkish

project valued at US$1.8 © Billion also covers the © construction of additional A T-155 Fırtına SPH is being disembarked from a Qatari Air Force C-17 in Qatar

24 3,000 in accordance with the agreement between the two countries and keep a brigade in the Gulf country. With the establishment of a permanent military base in Doha, which represents Turkey's first overseas military installation in the Middle East, Turkey has become a counterbalancing power Turkish MoND Turkish © in the region concerning © Iran and Saudi Arabia. Accompanied by Turkish MoND Hulusi AKAR, Qatar Defence Minister Khalid Al-ATTIYAH salutes Turkish Soldiers at Khalid Bin Walid military barracks The Qatar-Turkey Combined Joint without endangering its new Headquarters was Founded in 1971 after Force Command, of sovereignty, the State officially opened with the country gained which headquarters is of Qatar has refused to a ceremony held on independence from the overlooking the Strait of meet these demands December 14, 2019 with United Kingdom, the Hormuz in the Persian and agreed with Turkey the participation of Turkish Qatar Armed Forces Gulf, has been active to increase the size MoND Hulusi AKAR, Chief became the military since October 2015 at the of the Turkish military of Turkish General Staff forces of the State of Tariq Bin Ziyad military contingent in the country General Yaşar GÜLER Qatar. According to barracks, and until August and to expand the and Qatar Deputy Prime reports as of early 2016, 2019 was comprised of Qatar-Turkey Combined Minister and Minister of an estimated 12,000 commando platoons, Joint Force Command State for Defense Affairs personnel - 8,500 Land military engineering in Doha with naval and Dr. Khalid Bin Mohamed Forces, 1,800 Naval unit indirect fire support aerial components. As Al-ATTIYAH. The new base Forces, and 1,500 Air teams, and air force and part of this agreement, was named after Khalid Forces served in the naval liaison teams in what Turkey immediately Bin Walid - a well-known Qatar Armed Forces, is basically a mechanized sent additional troops commander in early years the second smallest in battalion battle group and armored vehicles of Islam. According to the region after Bahrain. involving some 300 (including Self Propelled Turkey’s President Recep However, soon after the Turkish soldiers (as of July Howitzers) to its Tayyip ERDOĞAN the diplomatic crisis (Gulf 2017 there were just 230 permanent base at the Qatar-Turkey Combined Crisis) broke out, Qatar troops and 38 vehicles at Tariq Bin Ziyad military Joined Force Command sought out to improve the base). barracks and conducted would serve the stability its military capabilities joint exercises with Qatar and peace of not only and to expand its Armed Cooperation between in August 2017. Qatar but also the Gulf Forces. In this context, Turkish and Qatar Armed region and described the while on the one hand Forces has notably Shortly after the eruption new military base as “the the State has been intensified since the of the Gulf Crisis on symbol of brotherhood, purchasing advanced Gulf Crisis broke out in June 7, 2017 the Turkish friendship, solidarity and military equipment from June 2017. One of the Parliament (TBMM) sincerity.” various manufacturers 13 demands that were ratified two deals on and signing various presented by Saudi-led deploying troops in Qatar Armed agreements for training Arab states to Qatar on Qatar and training its Forces and enhancing its human June 22, 2017 was the gendarmerie forces. As resources, on the other calling for the immediate The Ministry of Defense part of the expansion plan hand Qatar has extended closure of Turkey’s of Qatar is responsible for construction of a new base its compulsory national permanent military defending the homeland. near the Tariq Bin Ziyad service program with an base in Qatar and the It leads fighting and military barracks was aim to increase its limited termination of military support units including launched and completed manpower (citizen- cooperation with Turkey the Qatari Emiri Land in August 2019. The soldiers) for the Armed inside Qatar. However, Force, the Qatari Emiri Air Qatar-Turkey Combined Forces to support its self- pointing out that it was Force and the Qatar Emiri Joined Force Command’s reliance strategy. open to negotiations Navy.

25 As a result of ongoing expansion efforts, according to open sources, as of 2019 the Qatar Armed Forces’ personnel strength has been estimated to have increased to over 20,000 personnel - some 15,000 Land Forces, 3,000 Naval Forces (with Naval Police), and over 2,500 Air Forces. In order to support its A Qatari Emiri Land Force Leopard 2A7 MBT seen here during a live fire exercise self-reliance strategy, the personnel strength of this strategy the State According to SIPRI data the Qatar Armed Forces is has been allocating a the US was responsible expected to be increased Force Structure considerable amount for 65% of Qatari further in the coming of money to improve arms imports during of the Qatar years. In this context, for its military capabilities 2014-2018, while the Armed Forces example the Qatari Emiri and to equip its Armed remaining imports came Navy that launched the The Qatar Armed Forces Forces with state-of-the from countries such as construction of the new are organized into three art weapon and platform Germany, France, Italy, major naval base in branches: the Qatari systems. According to China, Russia and Turkey. early 2019 is reportedly Emiri Land Force, the some sources the State planning to raise the Qatari Emiri Navy, and the has allocated at least During last decade the number of its personnel Qatari Emiri Air Force. The US$6.5 Billion in defense State of Qatar has used from 3,000 to more than following information on expenditures for 2019. its vast oil wealth to 7,000 by 2025. Being the equipment of three According to Stockholm rebuild its Armed Forces constructed at Hamad branches of the Qatar International Peace and has spent tens of Port, a commercial port Armed Forces have been Research Institute (SIPRI) billions of US dollars inaugurated in 2017 and compiled from various figures Qatari arms buying some of the located at south of Doha open sources. imports rose by 245% world’s most advanced in Al Wakra, the new between 2007 and 2011, military weapons. Since Military Age: Between Qatar Emiri Naval Base by 225% between 2009- the start of the Gulf the ages of 18-35 years will include a quay wall 2013 and 2014-2018 Crisis, the State of Qatar (Regular), with a reserve and basin revetments, and ranked as the ninth has purchased three commitment of 10 years infrastructure, utility biggest arms importer different types of fighters, (up to age 40) buildings, security country in the world including 36 x US-made facilities, a helicopter Conscription: 12 Months in 2018. According to F-15QAs, 12 x French- airfield, and an access SIPRI data Qatar’s arms made Rafale fighters Total Active Personnel: bridge. The boundary is imports increased by (under the agreement Over 20,000 secured with bulletproof- signed in May 2015 Qatar more than 22% in 2018 Para-Military Forces: Royal glass buildings, detention has ordered 24 Rafales compared to 2017 due to Guard Brigade (the Amiri facilities, and security and with a US$1.3 Billion rearmament efforts and Guard under the Ministry gates; the base will have valued follow-on order the diplomatic crisis (Gulf of Defence and part of the special defense and agreement awarded in Crisis) with neighboring Qatari Emiri Land Force) surveillance towers too. December 2017 country countries. and Police Department. The base is expected to exercised option for the There are also 3 Special house about 6,000 troops In the 1980s and 1990s purchase of 12 additional Force-type Units each with 200 buildings and France provided some Rafales thus the total with company strength to host some of Qatar’s 80% of the country’s number of Rafales has under Army command: Oil newest expensive military military requirements been increased to 36) and Well Guard Units (located in purchases. as Qatar’s main arms 24 Eurofighter Typhoons the Dukhan and Umm Bab supplier. Since 2009 as well as 4 Doha Class As a small state, Qatar’s areas and charged with Qatar has been relying air defense corvettes, 2 defense policy is mostly securing pipelines), Border heavily on US defense OPV/FACM type ships, focused on self-defense Guards Regiment and a companies to purchase 1 air defense LPD and 2 and in order to achieve Static Guard Regiment defense equipment. cadet training ships).

Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) As the air arm of the Qatar Armed Forces, the Qatari Emiri Air Force was formed in 1974, three years after achieving independence from Great Britain in September 1971.

Personnel: Over 2.500

Main Air Bases: Al- Udeid Air Base and Doha Dassault International Air Base (also © © known as Camp Snoopy, Rafale F3R of the Qatari Emiri Air Force was a former US military installation located at • 1st Fighter Wing • 9th Multi-Role order and under delivery the Doha International Squadron – 1 x th process) Airport) in Doha. In August • 7 Air Superiority S-92 VVIP and Squadron – 9 x 4 x Westland 2018, Qatar announced Mirage 2000-5EDA, Commando Mk 2 (to Transport: 8 x C-17 the construction of a new 3 x Mirage 2000- be replaced with 16 Globemaster and 4 x air base near Dukhan. 5DDA x NH90 in tactical C-130J-30 transport [TTH] Named after Emir Tamim • 11th Close Support variant) Bin Hamad Al-THANI, the Squadron – 6 x Tanker Aircraft: In early Dukhan/Tamim Air Base Alpha Jet Dukhan/Tamim Air 2014 Airbus Defense and Space had been selected is the country's third • 2nd Rotary Wing Base and newest air base. The by Qatar to supply two • 6th Close Support • U/I Fighter Wing Dukhan/Tamim Air Base A330 MRTT (KC-30) new Squadron – 24 x generation air-to-air received five of the Qatari AH-64E (the first of • Al Adiyat Fighter Squadron – 23 x Emiri Air Force’s order of 24 helicopters for refuelling aircraft for the the Qatari Emiri Air Rafale (deliveries Qatari Emiri Air Force 36 Dassault Rafale fighter Force was handed being completed jets in June 2019, though over during a formal and will eventually reach to 36) Helicopters: 24 x AH-64E, it was not completely delivery ceremony at Boeing’s Mesa 39 x AW139, 8 x Westland operational at the time. production plant in Equipment: Commando Mk.3/Sea As of February 26, 2020 Arizona on March King, 1 x S-92 VVIP, 4 x Qatar, Emiri Air Force took 14, 2019. Deliveries Combat: 6 x Alpha Jets, 9 x are scheduled to be Westland Commando Mk the delivery of 23 Rafale Mirage 2000-5EDA/DDAs, completed by the 2 and 14 x SA342 Gazelle fighter jets from France. end of May 2020) 36 x Rafales (deliveries ongoing), 36 x F-15QAs (on th UAVs: 3 x BAYRAKTAR Al-Udeid Air Base • 8 Anti Surface order) and 24 x Eurofighter Vessel Squadron TB2-S Armed UAV • 3rd Rotary Wing – 8 x Westland Typhoons (on order) Systems with six aircraft, Commando Mk.3/ FLIR payloads, 3 x Ground • 20th Squadron – 39 x Sea King (wired for Training: 24 x L-39 and Control Stations and a AW139 AM-39 Exocet ASM L-29 (in store), 10 x MFI- and to be replaced UAV Training Simulator 395 Super Mushshak (on • Transport Wing with 12 x NH90 in are in the service of naval [NFH] variant) • Transport QEAF Reconnaissance Squadron – 8 x C-17 and Surveillance Centre Globemaster and 4 x Command C-130J-30 • Al Zaeem Mohamed SAMs: 1 x Rapier Battery Bin Abdullah Al- with 18 x launchers and ATTIYAH Air College 250 missiles, 9 x Roland 2 - 8 x MFI-395 Super Mushshak, 24 x (3 self-propelled Roland 2 Pilatus PC-21, 14 x systems on the AMX-30R SA342 Gazelle (to chassis and 6 shelter- be replaced with 16 x H125) mounted) and 1 MIM- 23B I-HAWK Battery and Doha International Air Base Mirage 2000-5EDA NASAMS/SL-AMRAAM.

28 Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Systems: In order to enhance its missile defense capability against Iran’s missile arsenal Qatar has purchased various BMD systems during last decade. In 2012, Qatar purchased 10 x Patriot Configuration 3 (PAC- 3) Firing Units (with 40 launchers) and missiles at an estimated value of nearly US$10 Billion. Also that year, the US agreed Qatari Air Force AH-64E attack helicopter to sell 2 x Terminal High Altitude Area Air Defense fleet modernization plan, (AMRAAM) missiles, 8 the National Day Parade (THAAD) System Firing Qatar will also receive 16 x AMRAAM Captive Air of Qatar Armed Forces, Units (with 12 launchers x H125 light single-engine Training Missile (CATM- held in Doha, Qatar. On and 150 missiles), the most helicopters in training 120C), 1 x spare AMRAAM July 10, 2019, Raytheon sophisticated ground- configuration for operation guidance section, 1 x announced that Qatar based missile defense by the Al Zaeem Mohamed spare control section and would be the first country system the US had made Bin Abdullah Al-ATTIYAH missile containers along to purchases its Advanced available for sale, but Air College. In April 2018 with classified software Medium Range Air-to-Air Qatari budgetary and it was reported that the for the Raytheon-made Missile - Extended Range operational concerns Ministry of Defense of AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel (AMRAAM-ER) weapon. have delayed or derailed Qatar signed a US$2.5 Short Range Air Defense In May 2019 the US State that purchase. In February Billion contract with Qatar (SHORAD) radar, spare and Department approved 2017, Raytheon concluded for the delivery of National repair parts, cryptographic the sale of 24 x AH-64E an agreement to sell Qatar Advanced Surface-to-Air and communication Apache Guardian attack an early warning radar Missile Systems (NASAM) security devices, precision helicopters to Qatar at an system to improve the to Qatar. On November navigation equipment, estimated cost of US$3 capabilities of its existing 27, 2018, the US Defense training, and other related Billion. The proposed sale missile defense systems, Security Cooperation program support at an will supplement the QEAF’s with an estimated value of Agency (DSCA) notified estimated value of US$215 previous procurement of US$1.1 Billion. In December Congress of a State Million. On December 18, 24 x AH-64Es. Qatar signed 2017, the US Defense Department approval 2018 single SL-AMRAAM a contract for 24 x AH-64E Department awarded of a commercial sale by launcher (fitted with aircraft in June 2016 and Raytheon a US$150 Million Raytheon of 40 x AIM AIM-120B missile mock- the ongoing deliveries will contract to provide Qatar 120C-7 Advanced Medium- ups) on Humvee tactical be completed by the end with services and support Range Air-to-Air Missiles vehicle took part during of May 2020 for its PAC-3 System, and the Ministry of Defense of Qatar has committed to acquire additional Patriot systems, with an estimated value of about US$2 Billion.

NB: In March 2018 during tbe DIMDEX 2018 Fair, Qatar signed a contract for the purchase of 28 NH90 military helicopters. The agreement includes 16 x NH90s in tactical transport (TTH) configuration and 12 x NH90s in naval (NFH) configuration. As part of its On December 18, 2018 single SL-AMRAAM launcher on Humvee tactical vehicle took part ongoing military helicopter during the National Day Parade of Qatari Armed Forces

29 Qatari Emiri Land Force The Qatari Emiri Land Force is the largest branch of the Qatar Armed Forces

Personnel: Some 15,000

Major Units:

Royal Guard Brigade with 3 Infantry Battalions

Qatari Army with 1 Special Forces Battalion, 4 Mechanised Infantry Battalion and 1 Artillery Battalion Nurol Makina's EJDER YALCIN WAVs with Aselsan SERDAR Anti-Tank Missile Launching System

Armored Brigade with a APCs/IFVs (150 of them (with 500 missiles) and 12 Nexter for the procurement Mortar Company, Tank are fitted with Aselsan’s x Stinger (with 60 missiles) of up to 490 VBCI IFVs with Battalion, Mechanised SERDAR ATGM Launching a value of €2 Billion. But Infantry Battalion and an System that able to launch SRBMs: At its national day due to the crisis between Anti-Tank Battalion Russian Kornet-E and the parade held in Doha 0n Paris and Doha the decision Ukrainian Skiff ATGMs), 90 December 17, 2017, Qatar on the procurement was Equipment: x KİRPİ 4x4 MRAPs and 35 displayed two of its newly frozen in November 2019. x AMAZON APCs purchased SY 400/BP- On December 18, 2018 MBTs: 62 x Leopard 2A7+ 12A Short Range Ballistic a brand new KF-41 Lynx and 30-44 AMX-30 (being Artillery: 22 x AMX-F3 Missile (SRBM) launchers AIFV took part during the withdrawn and replaced by 155mm SPHs (being accompanied with two National Day Parade of Leopard 2A7+ MBTs) withdrawn and replaced loaders. The Chinese SY- Qatar Armed Forces, held by PzH 2000 SPHs), 24 x 400 is typically mounted AIFV and APCs: KF-41 Lynx, in Doha, Qatar. It is believed PzH 2000 SPHs and 12 x G5 on an 8x8 Transporter- Dingo Heavy Duty (4x4) that Rheinmetall sold 155mm Towed Howitzerz Erector-Launcher (TEL), like APCs (including Armoured unknown amount of KF-41 (being withdrawn and the one which was shown Ambulance version), RG-41 Lynx AIFVs to Qatar, with replaced by PzH 2000 in the parade, is capable MRAP, Marauder 4x4, 32 x this sale Qatar becomes SPHs) of carrying both BP-12A Fennek 4x4 light armoured the first operator of the and SY-400 missiles. The reconnaissance vehicles, 6 x vehicle. On February 5, Mortars: 15 x Brandt BP-12A can carry a 480 kg Wisent 2 Support Vhecles, 2019 Turkish MoND Hulusi 120mm heavy mortars, and conventional payload over 36 x MOWAG Piranha Mk-II AKAR, formerly Chief of 30 x 81mm mortars a 280 km range, while the 8x8 CCTS-90mm turret, 4x the Turkish General Staff, SY-400 can carry a 200 kg MOWAG Piranha ARVs, 40 x MLRS: 4 x Astros II MLRS disclosed that Turkey has conventional payload over AMX-10P IFVs, 158 Renault and 7 x M142 HIMARS MLRS recently signed a contract a 200 km range. The Qatari Trucks VAB 6x6 APC, 4 x (with 60 M57 MGM-140 with Qatar for the sale of SY-400 launchers are Renault Trucks VAB/VPM- ATACMS Block 1A T2K TBFs FIRTINA Self Propelled appeared to be modified 81 4x4 Mortar Carrier with with unitary warhead and Howitzers (SPHs). MoND to carry two larger caliber 81mm mortar, 24 x Renault 360 M31A1 GMLRS guided AKAR did not share any BP-12A canisters instead Trucks VAB 4x4/6x6 VCAC artillery rockets with unitary figures about the number of eight SY-400 canisters. “Mephisto” with a pair warhead) of FIRTINA SPHs (20 The display of SY-400 of HOT ATGM launchers, estimated) to be delivered launchers at the parade 27 x Renault Sherpa 2 ATGMs: 48 x MBDA HOT to the Qatar Armed Forces. apparently represented light tactical vehicles, 12 ATGM launchers with It is believed that the an effort to demonstrate x Nexter Systems AMQ- 1,000 missiles, 100 x MBDA contract is covering the to the Saudi-UAE led bloc 10RC 105mm 6x6 ARVs, MILAN ATGM launchers New Generation FIRTINA Qatar’s capabilities to resist 8 x Cadillac LAV V150 with 630 missiles and 50 (also dubbed FIRTINA- pressure. Commando 4x4 APC, 16 FGM-148 Javelin ATGM II) SPHs, which are under launchers with 500 missiles production at the 1st Main x VBL 4x4 APC, 32 x EE-9 NB: In December 2017, the Cascavel 90mm 6x6 ARVs, Maintenance Factory SAMs: Some 20 x SA- Qatari Minister of State 342 x EJDER YALÇIN 4x4 Directorate located in 7s, 10 x Blowpipe (with for Defense Affairs signed MRAPs, 214 x NMS/YÖRÜK the Sakarya province of 50 missiles), 24 x Mistral a letter of intent (LoI) with northwest Turkey.

Qatari Emiri Navy The Qatari Emiri Navy (QEN), also called the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces (QENF), is the naval branch of the Qatar Armed Forces.

Personnel: Over 4,000 together with Coast Guard, Marine Police and Coastal Artillery

headquarters is at Doha. © Major Naval Bases are MRTP34 Class Fast Intervention Boat of Qatari Emiri Navy located at Al-Daayen Naval Base (operated by Operation Craft (SOCs) Landing Ships: 1 x Robha of Italy signed a €4 Coast Guard, located in and 4 x MRTP24/U Fast Class LCT and 4 x LCUs Billion contract with Semaisima, 30 kilometers Missile Craft the Qatari Minister of (18 miles) from Doha), Halul NB: On March 31, 2014, State for Defense Affairs Island (one of the main Patrol Crafts (PCs): 3 x Nakilat Damen Shipyards for the construction of bases for the Qatari Navy MRTP16 and 10 x MRTP Qatar (NDSQ, a joint seven surface vessels is located in Halul Island) 20 Fast Intervention Boats venture between Damen that are currently under and Ras Abu Aboud. The (FIBs, deliveries ongoing), and Qatar's Nakilat) and construction in Italy at new naval base of the 26 Hercules FPBs (at Coast QEN signed two Letter Muggiano (Las Spezia) Qatari Emiri Navy is under Guard service, deliveries of Intents (LoIs) for the Shipyard. The contract construction at Hamad will be completed by the construction of seven included the construction Port (a commercial port end of 2020), 4 x Vosper vessels at Qatar's premier of 4 x Doha Class air inaugurated in 2017 and patrol boats, 6 x Vosper 110 shipyard with a value of defense corvettes (the is located south of Doha ft. Class PCs, 6 x Damen US$851 Million. The MoUs first of the Doha Class in Al Wakra) Polycat 1450 Cass PCs, cover six 50 m (164 ft)- corvette was launched 2 x Keith Nelson type 44 long axe-bow high-speed on February 27, 2020), 2 Fleet: ft. Class PCs, 2 x Fairey patrol boats and one 52 x OPV/FACM type ships Marine Interceptor class m (171 ft)-long diving FPBs: 4 x Barzan Class and 1 x air defense LPD. PCs, 4 x MV-45 class PCs, support vessel. The 6 x During DIMDEX 2018 (56m Vita type) FPBs, 25 x Fairy Marine Spear Damen 5009 Class patrol 3 x DAMASH Class Exhibition the Qatar Emiri Class PCs, 5 x P-1500 Class boats are currently under Naval Forces has placed (Combattante III type) PCs, 4 x DV-15 Class FIBs construction at NDSQ FPBs, 3 x MRTP 34 (That an order for two Cadet and 3 x Helmatic M-160 and are scheduled to Training Ships (CTS) to Assuary Class) FPBs, 4 class PCs be delivered in 2024. In x MRTP24/U Special Turkish private shipbuilder June 2016, Fincantieri Anadolu Shipyards.