Qatar has signed a deal to acquire Boeing F-15 multi-role fighter jets from United States for $12 billion on Wednesday. The deal was s...
Qatar has signed a deal to acquire Boeing F-15 multi-role fighter jets from United States for $12 billion on Wednesday.
The deal was signed amid U.S. president Donald Trump's criticism against Qatar alleging support to terrorism, and comes when the peninsular country is in a diplomatic row with Saudi Arabia and UAE.
The contract for 36 aircraft marks the first order from Qatar for U.S. made combat jets and is not related to the present crisis.
In November 2016, U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of 72 Boeing F-15QA aircraft with weapons and related support, equipment, and training at an estimated cost of $21.1 billion to Qatar.
The country has been a traditional operator of French fighter jets. Its current combat fighter fleet consist of 9 Dassault Mirage 2000 and have placed order for 24 Dassault Rafale jets.
Even though no information is available about the features of F-15QA, it could be based on the F-15SA variant developed for Saudi Arabia.
The F-15 can carry up to 29,500 pounds (13,381 kilograms) of payload including air to air and air to ground weapons.
The twin engined all weather fighter can achieve a top speed of Mach 2.5 and can operate at a maximum altitude of 70,000 feet (21,336 m).
With a Max takeoff weight of 81,000 pounds (36,741 kilograms), Qatari F-15s will be powered by two GE F110 turbofan engines in 29,000 lb (13,154 kg) thrust class with afterburning.
