Qatar’s Minister of Defense Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on October 11, 2025, that a new F-15QA training base will be established in the U.S. state of Idaho for the Qatar Emiri Air Force.
Under the agreement, the Pentagonwill establish a dedicated training center for Boeing-produced F-15QA fighter jets operated by the Qatar Emiri Air Force.
In a statement shared on his social media account, Hegseth said: “The U.S. military has a longstanding partnership with Qatar, and this cooperation includes the F-15QA aircraft announced today. But to be absolutely clear, Qatar will not have its own base or base-like installation in the United States. As with all our partners, the existing base remains under U.S. control.”
This initiative strengthens Qatar’s strategic position in the region whilefurther deepeningmilitary cooperation through the Al-Udeid Air Base.
