Dassault Aviation announced on February 6 that it has handed Qatar its first Rafale. A ceremony was organized in Mérignac, in the presence of Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, Geneviève Darrieussecq, Secretary of State to the Minister of Armies, and Major General Mubarak Al Khayareen, Commander in Chief of the QEAF (Air Force of the Emir of Qatar).

The delivery of the first Rafale is part of the contract between Qatar and France in May 2015, covering 24 fighter jets. Later, in December 2017, Doha decided to exercise an option for 12 additional Rafales, bringing to 36 the number of aircraft finally ordered. With this contract, Qatar reiterated its confidence in French industry.

The acquisition of Rafale by Qatar is part of a large-scale strategy to provide the kingdom with a large fleet of combat aircraft. Thus, in the space of three years, Doha has acquired nearly a hundred hunters. In 2017, 36 F-15s were ordered, then in 2018, 24 Typhoon. This last contract also includes pilot training. All of these 60 devices are expected to be delivered from 2022.