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Why Is Qatar Building a Massive Air Force?
The National Interest ^ | September 29, 2017 | Zachary Keck

Posted on 09/30/2017 5:35:21 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

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1 posted on 09/30/2017 5:35:21 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki
Qatar's current sole fighter type
2 posted on 09/30/2017 5:37:16 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki
The real question is why they aren't sticking with one type of aircraft? The logistics of this must be insane. What's next, the Grippen?
3 posted on 09/30/2017 5:39:26 AM PDT by MSF BU (Support the troops: Join Them.)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

You think them being isolated and shunned has anything at all to do with it?


4 posted on 09/30/2017 5:43:24 AM PDT by yldstrk (Mys heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: MSF BU

Yes, more so for what is a very small air force now.

If they went shopping again, I’d assume they may go Russian (or Chinese)!


5 posted on 09/30/2017 5:45:12 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: MSF BU

They are banking on their purchases to curry favor with Western Nations and they are spreading the love around, “making it rain”.


6 posted on 09/30/2017 5:45:17 AM PDT by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: MSF BU

“The real question is why they aren’t sticking with one type of aircraft?”

When you buy weapons from a company you are also buying an inroad to their lobbying arm. Perhaps the real reason has less to do with weapons and more to do with politics.


7 posted on 09/30/2017 5:46:37 AM PDT by Gen.Blather
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To: yldstrk
You think them being isolated and shunned has anything at all to do with it?

I think that's absolutely it and it's a good strategy, assuming all these sales actually go through. It's one thing to make an announcement. It's another to get the US to actually allow you to have advanced aircraft. Just ask the Paki's (did they ever get those F-16 radars?).

8 posted on 09/30/2017 6:02:36 AM PDT by SeeSharp
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Where will the pilots and support personnel come from? Are we handing Iran access to any critical technology?


9 posted on 09/30/2017 6:05:38 AM PDT by bjc (Show me the data!)
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To: bjc

There are enough retired defense folks around the world who won’t bat an eyelid to take up an offer from Qatar, given the kind of money on offer. In addition to established strategic ties with professional military forces such as Pakistan and Egypt.


10 posted on 09/30/2017 6:13:11 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: bjc
20882075_10159227618435607_2171046178118191605_n
upload image
Saw this ad inviting Indian Navy folks to Qatar; seen similar ones for pilots to fly Saudi Eurofighters!
11 posted on 09/30/2017 6:33:30 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Tiny place. How many airfields do they have? A decent runway attack and all their planes become ornaments.


12 posted on 09/30/2017 6:35:23 AM PDT by Natufian (t)
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To: Gen.Blather

Quite right. Also it appears Qatar is buying training. That is regularly done in the country selling the aircraft, at that country’s armed forces’ training facilities, and by that country’s armed forces’ personnel. It is another huge point of access and network building.


13 posted on 09/30/2017 6:52:47 AM PDT by DakotaGator (Weep for the lost Republic! And keep your powder dry!!)
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To: Natufian

Like the Swiss they don’t rely solely on airfields...


14 posted on 09/30/2017 7:29:34 AM PDT by JP1201
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To: sukhoi-30mki

If they are going from basically 12 to 84 combat aircraft... Where are they going to find qualified pilots to fly them, crews to maintain them, and structures to house them? This represents a lot more time and investment than merely writing a check and picking up the new hardware.


15 posted on 09/30/2017 8:01:16 AM PDT by ThunderSleeps (Doing my part to help make America great again!)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Good find. Excellent information. It still strikes me that they are building for a strategy that is immediate, i.e., $$ to possible allies, or for five years from now.


16 posted on 09/30/2017 8:05:05 AM PDT by bjc (Show me the data!)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Welcome to Hamas’ brand new air force, and hats off to the latest additions to Iran’s deteriorating air force - no mystery - one group goes to Hamas, one to Iran, and one replaces the older Qatari planes.

Israel is just a short hop away, and with Iranian and Hezbollah troops on the Golan border the stage is being set, particularly with Iran’s new missile which can be mirv’ed and remotely guided.


17 posted on 09/30/2017 8:50:13 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Only a fool would ask that question

Iran


18 posted on 09/30/2017 2:40:59 PM PDT by bert (K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;WASP .... The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column)
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To: ThunderSleeps

All the above will be trained in the USA

Or more likely are being trained in the USA. Additionally, there are more than likely a cadre of Americans managing the operations in Qatar.


19 posted on 09/30/2017 2:45:26 PM PDT by bert (K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;WASP .... The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

Iran


20 posted on 09/30/2017 2:48:06 PM PDT by Enlightened1
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