First Rafale for Qatar

The first single-seat Rafale EQ built for the Qatar Emiri Air Force (serial EQ01) has flown, the aircraft painted in a new camouflage scheme, at Dassault’s airfield in Bordeaux-Mérignac. France and Qatar had signed the deal for 24 Rafales at Doha in May 2015, including training for 36 pilots and 100 engineers. A twin-seat example for Qatar (DQ01) has been used to test the new TARGO II helmet-mounted cueing system from Elbit. Another trials aircraft has recently been engaged in testing from Istres with a Lockheed Martin Sniper advanced targeting pod. The €6.7bn deal included an unspecified package of weapons from MBDA with deliveries due from mid-2018. A further 12 Rafales for Qatar are an option.