Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) will receive the first batch of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters ordered from the U.S. in 2019.
Qatar had placed the order of 24 Apache 64E helicopters in 2016 at a cost of $667.5 million. The deliveries of the helicopters will be completed by the end of May 2020. The deal will also include training of 70 pilots and 100 ground crew.
The new attack helicopters will allow the Qatari Armed Forces to retire its aging airframes, SA342 Gazelle scout helicopter. The helicopter will boost the air force reconnaissance and anti-tank warfare missions. The helicopters will also provide a long-term defensive and offensive capability to the Qatari Peninsula as well as enhance the protection of key oil and gas infrastructure and platforms.
A Look at Boeing AH-64 Apache Helicopter
The U.S. Army is the primary operator of the AH-64. Manufactured by Boeing U.S., AH-64 Apache is the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter.
- It an American four-blade, twin-turboshaft attack helicopter
- With a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement.
- Has a cockpit for a two-man crew.
- Has a large amount of systems redundancy to improve combat survivability.
- Armed with a 30 mm (1.18 in) M230 chain gun carried between the main landing gear, under the aircraft’s forward fuselage.
- Has four hardpoints mounted on stub-wing pylons, typically carrying a mixture of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Hydra 70 rocket pods.
- Has a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition.
- Has night vision capabilities.
The AH-64 Apache has become popular attack helicopter for international defence forces including Greece, Japan, Israel, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. The helicopter is also produced for United Kingdom under license, and is known as the AgustaWestland Apache.
