US awards Qatari F-15QA support contract

The US government has awarded Boeing a contract worth USD657.2 million to support Qatar’s fleet of F-15QA combat aircraft.

The first Qatari F-15QA seen in its primer colours at Boeing’s St Louis facility in the US. The manufacturer has been awarded a contract worth USD657.2 million to support the fleet once in service. (Qatar MoD)

The contract, announced on 9 November, covers spares and logistical support for the in-country sustainment of the F-15QA fleet. Work will be performed at Al Udeid Air Base, though no completion date was given.

The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) is currently slated to receive 36 F-15QA (Qatar Advanced) fighters with options for a further 36, though the US Department of Defense (DoD) has repeatedly of late referred to an order for 48 aircraft. The first are due to be delivered to the QEAF in June 2021 (although the aircraft will remain in the US until in-country facilities are ready in 2022). Initial operating capability (IOC) is slated for later in 2022, with deliveries of the 36 currently officially recorded due to run through to early 2023.

News of the support award comes some two months after Boeing was contracted to begin air and ground training of Qatari personnel on the F-15QA. The USD500 million award announced at the end of August will involve QEAF pilots and maintainers being trained on the aircraft in St Louis, Missouri, through to 2021, after which training will relocate to Qatar and run through to August 2026.