Qatar Air Force commences evaluation to acquire 36 new fighter planes

The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) has launched a competition to buy a new fighter plane to replace its ageing Dasault Mirage 2000-5s. Evaluation of the likely candidates has begun, the service’s commander, Brig. Gen. Mubarak Bin Mohammed Al-Khayarin, has been quoted as stating in the Air Power Middle East conference in London. The size of the order will likely be 24-36 fighters. Those in the fray include the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale and the SAAB Gripen. The choice of a new fighter is expected to be made by 2012.