The State of Qatar has received the first batch of Apache-QA, during a ceremony held at the headquarters of Boeing Defense Systems in Arizona, US in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah.

This batch comes as part of a deal signed by the Qatar Armed Forces to acquire the latest - sixth generation - of the fighter aircraft. Precise combat characteristics and technological specifications have been added to the Qatari version, giving it the lead in the air.

The Qatari fleet is expected to be completed by this type of aircraft, which will be in active service to enhance the various types and configurations of the Qatari Amiri Air Force.

The agreement for the manufacture and delivery of Apache aircraft includes annexed chapters covering the maintenance and training of the Qatari crew consisting of pilots, technicians and weapons managers. The Qatari Emiri Air Force has completed all the infrastructure, construction, logistics and technical arrangements to receive the fleet, which will enhance the country’s defence capabilities.

In October 2018, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, H E Lieutenant-General (Pilot Ghanem bin Shaheen Al-Ghanem, inaugurated the production line for the project to produce Apache helicopters for the Qatari Amiri Air Forces. The ceremony was attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to the US Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani, Commander of Qatar Emiri Air Force Major General (Pilot) Mubarak bin Mohammed Al Kumait Al Khayareen, Commander in charge of the project Brigadier (Pilot) Ghanem Abdulhadi Al Shahwani and Qatar’s Military Attaché to the US Colonel Nawaf bin Mubarak Al Thani in addition to a number of ranking Qatari Armed Forces officers and a lineup of US officials.

Source: The Peninsula