The Qatari Air Force has officially received its first Dassault Rafale fighter jet.
#Qatar Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Khalid Al-Attiyah, with officers, instructors and fighter pilots who had advanced training in #France at the delivery ceremony of the first Qatari Emiri Air Force #Rafale fighter aircraft. Congratulations.
🇫🇷🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/QG5mMX2AZD— France au Qatar (@FranceauQatar) February 6, 2019
At a ceremony in Merignac, France, Dassault Aviation formally handed over the first Rafale to the Qatari Air Force. The ceremony was attended by Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier, Qatari Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, and Qatar’s Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Mubarak al-Khayareen.
Qatar ordered 24 Rafales in 2015 and exercised an option for a further 12 in December 2017.
Military markets analyst, covering Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa.