RafalesQatari Rafales

or many years, Qatar operated what (GCC) states that began to adopt a was once one of the smallest air arms more robust foreign policy and a Fin the Middle East, with a frontline more international outlook. This strength of just nine Mirage 2000-5EDA air was one result of an economic defence fighters and three two-seat Mirage boom, and in part reflected 2000-5DDA operational trainers. the mood of greater national These were augmented by six Alpha self confidence that followed the Jets used for close air support. The so-called ‘Arab Awakening’. NATO-led current expansion will see these 18 ageing More prosaically, military expansion coalition aircraft giving way to 96 top-of-the-line, and modernisation was a pragmatic operations in a state-of-the-art multi-role fighters – 36 Boeing response to the US Obama more direct and F-15QA Advanced Eagles, at least 24 ‘Tranche administration’s ‘pivot’ to the Pacific. meaningful way. 4’ Eurofighter Typhoons and 36 F3-R standard This had led to a US expectation that its This ambition was Dassault Rafales. Gulf allies would shoulder a greater share of facilitated (if not That will provide a tremendous boost in their own defence. actively encouraged) capability on an individual aircraft level, and In Qatar, there was an aspiration for a larger, by France, with which also represents a more than five-fold increase more impressive air force – and for one that Qatar had a particularly close connection. in frontline strength. had real expeditionary capabilities. The France's former President Nicolas Sarkozy Of the three new fighter types, the Rafale acquisition of new transport aircraft (Boeing and the Emir of Qatar enjoyed a particularly is now in frontline service, flying operational C-17A Globemaster IIIs and Lockheed Martin effective working relationship. When Sarkozy missions with the Al Adyiyat squadron. The C-130Js) helped to provide global reach. first took office in 2002, the Emir was the first unit has settled into its brand new base at Qatar used them to support its participation Arab leader invited to France, and the two Dukhan, which is formally named Tamim Air in UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) worked together to mediate talks between the Base, after the ruler of Qatar, HRH Sheikh operations, and in delivering humanitarian Sudanese government and Darfur rebels, as Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. assistance to Haiti and Chile. One of Qatar’s well as helping to broker a ceasefire in Gaza first pair of C-17As was even delivered in a in 2008. During his presidency, Sarkozy made The ‘Arab Awakening' quasi-civil ‘Qatar Airways’ colour scheme four visits to Qatar, more than he made to any So, what lies behind this, probably the single in order to raise public awareness of the other Arab state. most dramatic increase in the size of a Emirate’s international operations. peacetime air force? But while being able to deliver high profile Intervention over Libya The roots of the expansion programme go humanitarian assistance raised Qatar’s profile, As Libya descended into a chaotic civil war, back more than ten years, when Qatar was it was not really enough for Qatar, which the Emir of Qatar and the French president one of a number of Gulf Cooperation Council wanted to be able to participate in US or were united in the view that the deteriorating

86 // June 2021 #399 www.Key.Aero The Qatar Emiri Air Force is currently undergoing what is probably the most dramatic expansion programme that many of us have ever seen. This programme will result in an almost unbelievable increase in aircraft numbers, as well as a quantum leap in capability. Jon Lake tells the story so far OVER RafalesQATAR

Qatar’s Rafale procurement is just one part of an air force expansion that will see fi ghter numbers increase by more than fi ve times Dassault Aviation/A Pecchi

www.Key.Aero #399 June 2021 // 87 Qatari Rafales

The initial Rafale in full Qatari markings was the fi rst single seater, EQ01, which made its maiden fl ight on March 27, 2017 Dassault Aviation/M Alleaume

situation could lead to a humanitarian disaster and both felt that only outside intervention Senior QEAF offi cers could barely contain their could stop the bloodshed. excitement and joy at the prospect of receiving the new Rafale, which marked a signifi cant step They both realised that the active military up from the Mirage 2000 Dassault Aviation/ participation of an Arab partner would V Almansa dramatically bolster the perceived legitimacy of any outside intervention. Accordingly, Qatar became a key member of the coalition that participated in the NATO-led Operation Unified Protector, deploying special forces troops on the ground and making a small but high-profile contribution to the air campaign, helping to enforce the NATO-led no-fly zone over Libya. The no-fly zone was imposed to support the enforcement of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1973. This authorised the use of all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Gaddafi regime forces. Qatar was the first Arab state to join the allied coalition, dispatching six of its Mirage involved in the Libya campaign “to save began preparing for what would be an 2000s (and two C-17s) to the air base at the world”, while 2nd Lt Naveed Ashraf, a unprecedented expansion. Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete. Pakistani technical adviser for the QEAF, The QEAF ordered a complete pilot training From there they flew alongside Mirage 2000s said: “This is not about Muslims possibly system from Pilatus in July 2012. This was from the French Air Force (now known as killing other Muslims. No religion tolerates this based around 24 PC-21 turboprop basic the French Air and Space Force), mounting brutality... Nobody has the right to do what training aircraft, but the package also combined combat air patrols from March 25, he is doing.” included ground-based training devices, 2011. The French aircraft were drawn from logistical support and maintenance. Fighter Squadron 1/2 ‘Cigognes’, normally Qatar’s expansion Since then, the air force has set about based at Dijon, and the Qatari and French Even before the Libyan intervention, in training new pilots in earnest, sending some air forces worked closely throughout the January 2011, the QEAF had already started abroad to increase numbers trained. campaign, usually flying mixed pairs with to assess potential replacements for its In order to avoid ignoring any talented one Qatari and one French aircraft. In effect, Mirage 2000-5s. future pilots, the air force has also welcomed the Qataris formed a key element within the Qatar evaluated the Lockheed Martin F-35 its first batch of female pilot candidates. French Opération Harmattan. Lightning II and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super The size of the training effort is apparent Close co-operation between the Qatar Hornet, as well as the three aircraft types from the statistics released when the latest Emiri Air Force (QEAF) and the French Air it went on to purchase – the Eurofighter group of trainees graduated from the Al Force went back years, but had intensified Typhoon, the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle and Zaeem Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Attiya Air during the months leading up to the Libyan the Dassault Rafale. Academy. The graduates included 32 fighter intervention. In November and December In fact, the deployment to Crete actually pilots, 36 helicopter pilots, three weapons 2010, French Mirage 2000s participated led to a delay to Qatar’s planned Eurofighter systems officers, ten air traffic controllers and in a combined exercise with their Qatari evaluation, as most of the pilots scheduled four GCI (ground-controlled counterparts, and from January 2011, two for the evaluation suddenly found themselves interception) controllers. French pilots were assigned to the Qatari going to war! Mirage 2000 and Alpha Jet squadrons. While the Libya crisis delayed the Eurofighter Opting for Rafale One Qatari colonel told French TV after a evaluation, it almost certainly added impetus Acquisition of the Rafale began even before mission: “This is a good first experience to to the Rafale procurement. the Libyan operation and, in June 2014, come here, so far from our home base. For Pushing hard for a sale was then-President Dassault claimed that it was close to us, it’s not a matter of Libya or Gaddafi, this Sarkozy, who had previously set up a Rafale signing a contract with Qatar for is to enforce the UN no-fly zone. I’m not going sales ‘war room’ in the Elysée’s presidential 72 Rafales, though in the end to go into the political side of it.” office after Morocco (a former French no order was announced until A young Qatari pilot was more openly protectorate) chose the F-16 over the Rafale. April 30, 2015. idealistic, telling journalists his country was Before placing any orders, the QEAF When it did come, the Qatari Rafale order

88 // June 2021 #399 www.Key.Aero was for 24 aircraft, not 72, indicating that the for training opportunities and co-operation fighter order would be divided three ways, with three of the world’s leading air arms as some more specialised media outlets had instead of just one, and exposing Qatari long predicted. officers to three different doctrines and This always seemed incomprehensible to a wider variety of tactics and CONOPs to many Western analysts and observers, (concepts of operations). who have become used to their own local Qatar finally signed a €6.3 billion air forces striving to reduce the number of (US$6.92bn) memorandum of understanding different aircraft types in service in a ruthless for 24 Rafales (18 single-seat Rafale EQ drive to minimise support costs and increase fighters and six two-seat Rafale DQ trainers) efficiency. Because of this, the idea of on May 4, 2015, the opening day of the Doha splitting a 72 or 96-aircraft fighter buy three International Maritime Defence Exhibition and ways would be anathema for most air chiefs. Conference (DIMDEX). But a split buy made complete sense to The contract was signed in Doha in the Qatar. For the cost of three separate sets presence of François Hollande, the then Two of the fi rst group of QEAF Rafales of support contracts, spares packages and President of the French Republic. Qatar delivered, accompanied by the French infrastructure, Qatar was effectively buying reportedly paid a deposit for the Rafales on Air Force A330-243 MRTT Phénix that itself close defence relationships with the December 16, 2015, and this was supposedly accompanied them on the journey to Qatar Qatar MoD French Air Force, the US Air Force (USAF) and funded by Japanese banks. the Royal Air Force (RAF) – opening the door There has been speculation about the order of Qatar’s fighter purchases. Some believe “The replacement of 12 ageing Mirages by 24 Rafales that Qatar had assessed that Dassault was the ‘hungriest’ of the three bidders and would be a major boost to any air force, but a dozen would therefore give the best terms and the more Rafales are due to be delivered and two further best price. Others felt that after the earlier acquisitions of the Dassault Mirage F1, the fi ghter aircraft types are also to be introduced” Alpha Jet and the Mirage 2000, Dassault would be motivated to move heaven and earth to remain Qatar’s fighter supplier Two QEAF Rafale fi ghter aircraft were fl ying off of choice. the wing of a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned It was further felt that a bargain price to the 340th Expeditionary Aircraft Refueling offered by Dassault could then be used to Squadron, before conducting the fi rst-ever Qatari apply pressure on Boeing and BAE Systems. Rafale air-to-air refuelling contacts on December 28, 2020 USAF/Staff Sgt Trevor T McBride The Qataris planned to give the impression that if the Americans and the British could not give them similar terms, then they could and would simply opt for more Rafales. Confi gured for Qatar Few details have been revealed about the exact configuration of Qatar’s Rafales. They are being built to Q3-R standard (supposedly equivalent to the French Air Force’s F3-R version, which was qualified in October 2018), but they will differ in detail from those delivered to France, and perhaps

www.Key.Aero #399 June 2021 // 89 Qatari Rafales to the aircraft delivered to Egypt, India and helmet-mounted target designation system on at Base Aérienne 118 Mont-de-Marsan in Greece. It has been acknowledged that the Rafale. These began on January 24. southwestern France and was designated aircraft for Egypt were modified to remove The Rafales for Qatar are being supplied as the Qatar Rafale Squadron (rendered NATO standard communications equipment with a 30mm GIAT 30 DEFA cannon, MBDA in English) and as Escadron de Chasse and the aircraft’s nuclear missile capability, MICA infrared, MICA EM and Meteor 4/30. It was initially led by a French officer, for example, and it would seem possible that air-to-air missiles, and with a range of before command transferred to a Qatari the radar and EW (electronic warfare) systems air-to-ground weapons, including MBDA officer in 2019. Some QEAF personnel were hardware may be degraded, while it would SCALP-EG cruise missiles, and laser and also trained at Rochefort and at the Joint seem unlikely that France would want to GPS-guided Safran AASM (Armement Intelligence Training Institute in Strasbourg. provide the full French Air Force mission data. Air-Sol Modulaire) Hammer missiles. The Without this, hardware that may be to the full French defens-aero.com blog reported Pilot training French Air Force standard might not have the that Qatar would also receive Exocet The first Qatari Rafale pilots arrived at same capabilities or performance – including anti-ship missiles and the Reco-NG Mont-de-Marsan from Base Aérienne 113 the RBE2 AA active electronically scanned reconnaissance pod. Saint-Dizier-Robinson, where they had array (AESA) radar, the OSF (Optronique The first Qatari Rafale, a two-seater, made undertaken basic conversion to the Rafale. Secteur Frontal) infrared search and track its maiden flight from Bordeaux-Mérignac, They flew approximately 1,500 hours on about (IRST) system and the Spectra EW system. on June 28, 2016, and the first single-seat five French Rafales – a level of effort which We do know that the Qatari Rafales are Rafale EQ followed on March 27, 2017. one senior French officer described as being equipped with a Lockheed Martin The initial two-seater was painted grey equivalent to the fighter activity dedicated on AN/AAQ-33 Sniper laser designator pod overall and looked unmarked, since its Operation Barkhane in Mali. rather than the French Thales Damocles or construction number (DQ01) was applied very The squadron was tasked with providing the new Thales Talios (Targeting Long-Range unobtrusively. The first two-seater wore operational training for the 250 personnel who Identification Optronic System) pod. two-tone grey camouflage and Qatari national were to man the first Qatari Rafale squadron, The selection of Sniper was announced markings, with the code EQ01 on the forward including 36 pilots and 100 engineers and in June 2018, and the pod was first flown fuselage. These early aircraft were quickly technicians. The purpose of the unit was to on a French Rafale test aircraft, C101, on transferred to the French Air Force flight-test give the Qatari personnel experience of a real March 21, 2017. The test flight, centre at Istres for testing. squadron, allowing them to ‘hit the ground which took off from BA125 The French Air Force stood up a dedicated running’ when they arrived back in Qatar. Istres-Le Tubé, followed Qatari Rafale training unit on October 1, The flying was largely tactical and allowed tests of the Israeli Elbit 2017, as part of its ‘soutex’ (support for most of the Qatari pilots to qualify as deputy Systems TARGO-II exports) programme. The unit was situated flight leads: 15 of the pilots were qualified as

90 // June 2021 #399 www.Key.Aero Geneviève Darrieussecq, in the presence of QEAF Commander, Major General Mubarak Al Khayareen. During the ceremony, the Qatar Rafale squadron’s unit badge – a stylised Arabian stallion’s head, was unveiled and the unit’s identity was also revealed – with the revelation that it would be named ‘Al Adyiyat’ (after a Surah or chapter in the Koran). Though the ceremony at Mérignac formally marked the delivery of the first Rafale to the QEAF, the aircraft remained in France while Qatari pilots continued to train on the new type. From April 8, 2019, the Qatari pilots moved from Mont-de-Marsan to attend a new training school for foreign Rafale pilots, organised by Dassault Aviation at ‘flight leads’ and others trained as flying Bordeaux-Mérignac. Dassault based the and weapons instructors. Emir of Qatar, operation on the lines of an air force fighter Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, visited squadron, with former French Air Force Rafale the Qatari Rafale Squadron at pilots serving as instructors. Mont-de-Marsan on July 5, 2018, The two-month course converted Qatari accompanied by French Defence Minister pilots on the Rafale EQ/DQ, completing the Florence Parly. The Emir was briefed by training provided by the French Air Force at Brigadier General (Pilot) Salem Abdullah Saint-Dizier and Mont-de-Marsan. Between Al Dosari on the Qatar Rafale Squadron’s April and May 2019, the Qataris made 72 operations and capabilities and the flights. The unit conducted about three daily progress of the joint training programme. missions with one or two aircraft, usually Even as the Qatari pilots got on with their using the callsign ‘Volvic’. training, there were further programmatic Qatar finally took physical delivery of first milestones. In December 2017, the QEAF five Rafale fighters on June 5, 2019. Four Rafale EQ single-seaters (QA211, QA216, exercised its option for 12 additional Rafale QA218 and QA220) and a single DQ trainer fighters, bringing the total on order to 36. (QA204) flew directly from BA125 Istres-Le Qatar retained a further option to buy up to Tubé to Qatar, each carrying three external another three dozen. fuel tanks, and all flown by Qatari pilots. Above: Six QEAF Rafales fl ying over Qatar, after receiving fuel from a USAF-operated KC-135 The QEAF Rafales were accompanied by Stratotanker on December 31, 2020 The growing fl eet a French Air Force Airbus A330-243 MRTT USAF/Staff Sgt Sean Carnes In August 2018, Qatar announced the Phénix (041/F-UJCG) from GRV02.091 construction of a new air base on the western 'Bretagne'. Another French tanker (a Boeing Above, right: The ruler of Qatar, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, inspected the fi rst group of coast of the Gulf peninsula, confirming that C-135FR Stratotanker) provided additional Rafales when they arrived at their new base on it would be be named after Emir Tamim bin AAR support over the Mediterranean. June 5, 2019 Qatar MoD Hamad Al Thani. Seven Rafales were prepared for the flight. In addition to the new air base, Al Udeid Air Five aircraft were delivered, with two spares Base and Doha International Air Base are to (QA217 and QA203) remaining in France. The be expanded in order to accommodate some Rafales’ arrival was timed to coincide with a of the new fighter aircraft on order. ceremony commemorating the opening of the On February 6, 2019, Dassault formally new Tamim Air Base at Dukhan during which handed over the first of the aircraft (Rafale the aircraft were formally received by the Emir DQ QA202) in an official reception ceremony of Qatar. in the factory at Mérignac in southwestern The deputy prime minister welcomed the France. The ceremony was hosted by Eric aircraft and pilots home, with a group of Trappier, Dassault Aviation chairman and high-ranking air force officers, including chief executive officer, and was held under Lieutenant General (pilot) Ghanem bin the patronage of His Excellency Dr Khalid Shaheen Al Ghanim, the chief of staff of the bin Mohamed Al Attiyah – the Qatari Deputy Qatari Armed Forces; Major General (pilot) Prime Minister and Minister of State for Salem Hamad Al Nabet, the commander of Defence Affairs – and the French State Qatari Amiri Air Force; and Brig Gen Salem Secretary to the Minister of Armed Forces Abdullah Al Dosari, the Rafale project officer,

Above: Qatar’s Rafales wear a unique two-tone camoufl age, similar to that previously applied to the Mirage 2000 Dassault Aviation/A Pecchi

Right: The Emir of Qatar visited the Qatari Rafale Squadron at Mont-de-Marsan on July 5, 2018, accompanied by French Defence Minister Florence Parly The Amiri Diwan

www.Key.Aero #399 June 2021 // 91 Qatari Rafales who was appointed as the commander of The two spare aircraft the new air base. Dassault and France were from the first delivery represented by Dassault CEO Eric Trappier batch (Rafale EQ and the French ambassador, Franck Gellet. QA217 and DQ QA203) A second batch of Rafales (Rafale remained in France long enough to fly a DQs QA202 and QA203 and Rafale EQs dedicated photo sortie QA217, QA219 and QA221), flew from for a leading aviation Bordeaux-Mérignac to Tamim Air Base on photographer, Anthony July 3, 2019, accompanied by a QEAF C-17A Pecchi Dassault Aviation/A Pecchi Globemaster III (A7-MAN). Only the first delivery in June was supported by French Air Force tankers, with subsequent deliveries undertaking fuel stops at Souda Bay (Greece) and Incirlik (Turkey). The third batch of Rafales EQs (QA210, QA222, QA223, QA224 and QA225), flew from Bordeaux-Mérignac to Qatar on September 3, 2019. These were also accompanied by the same C-17A Globemaster III. The fourth batch of five Dassault Rafales (Rafale DQ QA205 and Rafale EQs countries in Qatar airspace. As well as making QA212, QA213, QA214 and QA226) left history, the event helped Qatar’s pilots to gain Bordeaux-Mérignac on December 3, 2019, for greater familiarity with the USAF’s air-to-air delivery to Tamim Air Base. Their escort was a refuelling processes and procedures. QEAF C-17A Globemaster III (A7-MAA). The replacement of 12 ageing Mirages by The fifth delivery flight saw three aircraft 24 Rafales would be a major boost to any (Rafale DQ QA206 and Rafale EQs QA215 air force, but a dozen more Rafales are due and QA227) flying from Bordeaux/Mérignac to be delivered by the end of 2022 and two to Tamim Air Base, where they arrived on further fighter aircraft types are also to February 25. be introduced. With QA201 remaining in France for tests The sale of up to 72 Boeing F-15QA (Qatar and training, and with serials QA207-209 Advanced) fighters to Qatar was submitted to unallocated, this brought the total to 23 the US Congress for approval in September Rafales delivered to the QEAF. 2016, and a US$21.1bn contract for 24 aircraft The departure of the Qataris left the French (plus an option for 12 more) was signed in Air Force with a brand new Rafale squadron, November 2016. Less than one year later, in EC 4/30 ‘Vexin’. alongside USAF F-15Es during a ‘US-Qatar September 2017, Qatar ordered 24 Typhoon Friendship Event’ in August 2020, and fighters from the UK. Rafale operations participated in Exercise Epic Skies IV, flying In addition to these fighters, Qatar has The Qatari Rafales have been busy since they alongside the Typhoons of the joint RAF/ ordered nine BAE Systems Hawk advanced were delivered. On December 19, 2019, five of Qatari squadron in December 2020. trainers, 48 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian the newly fielded fighters made a public debut Later that month, QEAF Rafale fighter attack helicopters, and 28 NHIndustries during Qatar’s national day celebrations. aircraft undertook air to-air refuelling training NH90 transport and shipboard helicopters, Rafale DQs QA202 and QA203 and Rafale with a USAF-operated KC-135 Stratotanker having already taken delivery of four EQs QA214, QA217 and QA221 participated assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Aircraft Boeing C-17A Globemaster III and four in the flypast over Doha. Refueling Squadron. This represented the Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules More recently, the Qatari Rafales flew first-ever inflight refuelling mission by the two transport aircraft. AFM

Above, middle: The Epic Skies exercise patch showed the Rafale, Typhoon and Mirage 2000 MoD Crown Copyright

Below: The Rafale will give the QEAF a long range interdiction capability it has previously lacked, while also boosting air defence capabilities Dassault Aviation/A Pecchi

92 // June 2021 #399 www.Key.Aero