Joint F-16, Rafale Squadron To Boost Security As Qatar & Turkey Deepen Military Ties With New Venture

By
Ashish Dangwal
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On August 27, the Qatari Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced the establishment of a joint squadron with the Turkish Air Force (THK), marking a significant step in the enhancement of military relations between the two countries.

The joint squadron is based at Dukhan Air Base in Qatar, and both countries will contribute various aircraft to the unit, enhancing their combined air power capabilities.

The MoD revealed that General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, the commander of the Turkish Air Force, recently visited the joint squadron. During his visit, he observed the progress of training programs and inspected the latest facilities at Dukhan Air Base.

The Ministry supported its announcement with a photograph depicting a two-seat Turkish F-16D from the 191 ‘Kaplan’ Squadron parked between a Qatari Mirage 2000 and a Rafale. The photograph was taken in front of a large hangar on the northeast side of the runway at Dukhan.

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The Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MSB) also highlighted Gen Kadioglu’s visit, noting that he toured Turkey’s newly deployed permanent air component in Qatar.

During his time at the base, he participated in a ceremonial tree-planting event on the northern side of the same hangar.

He was later seen in the backseat of another Turkish F-16D, this time with the insignia of the 132 ‘Hançer’ Squadron. The MSB’s images also showed at least one single-seat F-16C, although the specific squadron affiliation of the aircraft was not disclosed.

Judging by the photos, it appears that Qatar will be contributing its Mirage 2000 and Rafale fighters to the joint squadron, while Turkey is likely to deploy some of its F-16s.

The exact number of aircraft, as well as the specific missions assigned to the squadron, have not been made public. Nevertheless, this collaboration is expected to bolster Doha’s defense capabilities and enhance Turkey’s military footprint in the Gulf region.

This partnership with Turkey is not Qatar’s first venture into joint squadrons. The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) also operates a joint squadron with the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force (RAF).

Initially formed in the UK to train Qatari personnel on Typhoon fighters, the squadron was deployed to Qatar in 2022 to provide security during the FIFA World Cup before returning to RAF Coningsby in early 2023.

Turkey & Qatar Deepen Military Alliance

The latest announcement of a joint air squadron signals a deepening of military cooperation between Turkey and Qatar, particularly as the region faces heightened threats due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Turkey has maintained a military presence in Qatar since 2015, initially through the Tariq bin Ziyad base. In 2017, this presence was further solidified with the establishment of a joint command at the Khalid bin al-Walid military camp.

During the Gulf blockade, which lasted until 2021, Turkey significantly increased its troop presence in Qatar to approximately 3,000 personnel.

The new squadron is now expected to enhance interoperability, training, and joint responses to common challenges, such as terrorism and piracy. According to Ragip Soylu, Middle East Eye’s Turkey bureau chief, the decision to create the new squadron appears to have been made in early August.

Qatari and Turkish air force personnel with their aircraft at Dukhan Air Base. (Qatari Ministry of Defense)

This coincides with a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Ankara.

During the meeting, Erdogan emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in both economic and military spheres.

Soylu added that a statement from the Turkish government indicated that both nations were concerned about escalating regional tensions, particularly in light of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Soylu further suggested that preparations for the joint squadron began on July 30, when Turkey deployed six F-16 fighter jets to Qatar.

This deployment was followed by the dispatch of two TUZLA Class Patrol Boats from the Turkish Naval Forces, marked by a ceremony held at the Aksaz Naval Base Command on July 26.

Soylu also suggested that Qatar might deploy Dassault Rafale fighter jets to the joint fleet, which would allow Ankara to evaluate the French jet’s strengths and weaknesses, especially since Greece also operates these aircraft.

Turkish aerospace and defense expert Cem Dogut highlighted a similar point, noting, “One added bonus for Turkey, Dogut said, is that Ankara will get a closer look at the Eurofighter, which it is in talks to acquire itself, and at the Rafale, which is flown by historic rival Greece.”

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