Qatar’s military has emerged as one of the rising forces in the Gulf region. Over the past decade, the country has witnessed significant leaps in the quality of its armament and military training. Although relatively small in size, Qatar has invested heavily in building a modern armed force that relies on cutting-edge defense technologies and close cooperation with international allies to strengthen its defensive and offensive capabilities.
The Qatari Armed Forces were established in 1971 following the country’s independence from British oversight. In its early years, the army consisted primarily of a force dedicated to maintaining internal security, composed of small ground units supported by a limited number of armored vehicles and light weapons.
As Qatar’s regional role began to grow, the country embarked on a gradual development of its military forces to ensure the protection of the state and the security of its strategic interests. Since 2015, Qatar has introduced mandatory military service for its citizens, and estimates suggest that around 2,000 Qatari conscripts complete their training each year.
In recent decades, Qatar’s military has undergone a comprehensive modernization process, especially following the political transition in June 1995 when former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani came to power. Advanced combat systems were introduced across all branches and units of the armed forces. Defense agreements with major powers such as the United States, France, Turkey, and Italy have played a critical role in raising the level of the Qatari military in terms of readiness and armament.
In 2022, Qatar recorded a sharp increase in military spending, with a growth rate of 27 percent bringing the total defense expenditure to $15.4 billion. This represented an exceptional surge in investment at the time. The year 2017 also marked a pivotal and exceptional moment in Qatar’s military spending, driven by the regional crisis in the Gulf.
Qatar’s Military Capabilities
Land Forces
The Qatari Army constitutes the backbone of the country’s armed forces and is equipped with a diverse range of modern tanks and armored vehicles. Key assets include:
- Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks (Germany): A fleet of 62 units, these are among the most advanced tanks globally, known for their upgraded armor and precision targeting systems.
- Piranha V infantry fighting vehicles: Qatar operates 38 of these fifth-generation wheeled combat vehicles, designed by General Dynamics European Land Systems.
- VBCI armored vehicles (France): Qatar possesses 490 units, primarily used in ground operations and logistical support. Negotiations are currently underway with the French manufacturer to upgrade the fleet.
- PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers (Germany): With a range of up to 40 kilometers, these systems are designed for long-range fire support. Qatar recently returned half of its PzH 2000 inventory to Germany after procuring the newer RCH 155 8×8 systems. Germany subsequently transferred the returned units to Ukraine.
- Fennek reconnaissance vehicles (Germany/Netherlands): Qatar operates around 32 of these armored scouts.
- Altay main battle tanks (Turkey): Qatar has signed a contract to acquire 100 units, though technical delays have postponed delivery.
In addition to conventional forces, the Qatari Army includes specialized units trained in irregular warfare and elite special operations forces. These units receive high-level training in coordination with U.S. and Turkish special forces.
Air Force
The Qatari Air Force is widely regarded as the most advanced branch of the country’s armed forces, thanks to a robust fleet of state-of-the-art fighter jets and aerial systems:
- Rafale multirole fighters (France): Qatar operates 36 Rafale jets equipped with cutting-edge radar and weapons systems. The first batch was delivered in June 2019 under a 2015 agreement, initially covering 24 aircraft with an option for 12 more later exercised.
- F-15QA “Ababil” fighters (USA): Qatar has procured 48 of these advanced variants of the F-15, customized specifically for its air force and delivered starting in 2021. They feature highly sophisticated avionics.
- Eurofighter Typhoon (UK/Europe): Qatar currently fields 24 Typhoon jets, known for their agility and air-to-air combat capabilities. A new order for 12 additional units was placed in late 2024.
- MQ-9 Reaper drones (USA): These unmanned aerial vehicles are used for surveillance and precision strikes. In March 2025, the Pentagon announced that the U.S. State Department had approved a $1.96 billion arms deal with Qatar, including eight MQ-9B drones, guided munitions, and advanced maritime weaponry such as 200 JDAM bombs and 110 Hellfire II missiles.
- Bayraktar TB2 drones (Turkey): Qatar was the first foreign operator of this drone, purchasing six units under a 2018 agreement. The UAE and Saudi Arabia followed with larger orders.
- AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters: Qatar’s fleet includes 24 units, equipped with Hellfire missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and laser-guided rockets.
Naval Forces
Qatar has heavily invested in modernizing its naval capabilities. In December 2024, the country received the Al-Fulk, a 143-meter-long amphibious transport dock (LPD) built by Italy’s Fincantieri. The vessel supports the deployment of ground forces, vehicles, and airborne armored units, enabling Qatar to conduct amphibious and field operations. The acquisition is part of a broader maritime program that previously included four Al Zubarah-class frigates and two Musherib-class offshore patrol vessels.
In 2020, Forbes reported that Qatar was set to become the first Gulf state to operate both submarines and an aircraft carrier, following a €5 billion agreement with Fincantieri to construct warships, submarines, and establish an overseas naval base.
In March 2024, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Turkish firm Dearsan to build two 50-meter fast attack craft (FAC-50), each equipped with anti-ship missiles and short-range air defense systems.
Additionally, in October 2020, Intelligence Online revealed that Barzan Holdings, Qatar’s state-owned defense company, had acquired a stake in the Italian company GSE Trieste. The firm manufactures compact tactical submarines used by U.S. and other special operations forces. Qatar reportedly ordered four such submarines.
More recently, Qatar received four military landing vessels from Turkey as part of its amphibious operations program. The country also operates Simaisma-class corvettes, designed for multipurpose missions including patrols, surveillance, and protection of exclusive economic zones.
In 2019, Qatar inaugurated a new naval base south of Doha and has since announced plans to increase its naval personnel from approximately 3,000 to 7,000 by the end of this year.
Air Defense and Missile Systems
Qatar possesses a formidable air defense system composed of a range of advanced technologies:
- THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense): One of the most advanced U.S. missile defense systems, designed to intercept medium- and long-range ballistic missiles outside the earth’s atmosphere.
- Patriot PAC-3 systems: A ground-based missile defense platform consisting of radar, command-and-control units, and missile launchers. It is effective against ballistic missiles, fighter aircraft, and cruise missiles.
- NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System): A medium-range air defense system capable of countering a wide variety of airborne threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Developed through a joint venture between Raytheon and Norway’s Kongsberg.
- SAMP/T (Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain): A European system equipped with Aster-30 missiles, designed to counter drones and cruise missiles. Reports on whether Qatar has fully acquired this system remain inconclusive.
- AN/FPS-132 radar systems: U.S.-made early warning radars that enhance Qatar’s ability to detect aerial threats well in advance.
Emiri Special Forces and Project 401
Qatar has launched a comprehensive training initiative known as Project 401, aimed at developing a cutting-edge special operations training center with advanced land and maritime facilities. The project includes the construction of an urban warfare training city equipped with immersive virtual and augmented reality simulations for complex combat and rescue scenarios.
So far, two sites have been established: one focused on naval training and another at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha. These facilities feature 300- and 600-meter live-fire ranges, 360-degree tactical firing simulators, a mock civilian aircraft for counterterrorism drills, and dedicated spaces for urban driving and combat scenarios.
Project 401 is designed to prepare Qatar’s special forces for a wide range of operations, including combat search and rescue, medical evacuation, explosive ordnance disposal, K9 units, and non-combat skills such as negotiation and crisis management.
Force Size and Military Budget
According to Global Firepower, the Qatari Armed Forces comprise approximately 26,500 personnel, broken down as follows: 12,500 in the army, 4,500 in the navy, 5,000 in the air force, 2,650 in air defense, and 1,900 in special forces. Additionally, Qatar maintains a reserve force of around 4,000 personnel.
The country places a strong emphasis on international military training through partnerships with the United States, Turkey, and France, providing its forces with high-level tactical expertise.
Qatar ranks among the highest military spenders in the Gulf relative to its size, with a defense budget estimated at $11 billion in 2024. This reflects the state’s strategic goal of building a technologically advanced and well-equipped military.
While Qatar has not participated in major regional wars, its military has been active in various operations, including:
- Providing logistical and intelligence support to the international coalition against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
- Participating in the air campaign in Libya alongside U.S. and European forces.
- Contributing to peacekeeping missions in areas such as Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa.
- Delivering military and logistical assistance to Turkey during its operations in Libya and supporting the UN-recognized government.
The Qatar–Turkey Defense Agreement
Qatar maintains strong defense ties with both the United States and NATO. Al Udeid Air Base hosts the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East and plays a vital role in regional operations. The U.S.–Qatar defense relationship includes joint training and intelligence-sharing. In 2022, the United States designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, a status that facilitates deeper military cooperation.
Qatar has also strengthened its ties with NATO, participating in various alliance programs and activities. The country signed an agreement to open a Qatari mission and military representation office at NATO headquarters in Brussels, enabling regular collaboration in training, expertise, and intelligence exchange.
Among Qatar’s most significant military alliances is its defense agreement with Turkey, ratified by the Turkish parliament in June 2017. The agreement came into effect during the Gulf diplomatic crisis, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt cut ties with Qatar. The pact allowed for the establishment of a Turkish military base on Qatari soil and authorized the deployment of Turkish troops.
The first contingent of Turkish ground forces, part of the Tariq bin Ziyad brigade, arrived in Doha in October 2015, consisting of 130 troops and several armored vehicles. Under the agreement, the number of Turkish troops stationed in Qatar is expected to grow to around 5,000.
Conclusion
Qatar’s military has evolved into a technologically advanced force built on international training and high-end defense systems. While its overall troop numbers are modest compared to regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, or Iraq, the quality of its equipment and the strength of its defense partnerships make Qatar a key player in the region.
Ultimately, Qatar’s national security rests not only on its own military capabilities but also on its strategic alliances with the United States, NATO, Turkey, and Gulf partners—alliances that form the cornerstone of its defense posture and sovereignty.
