First flight of the first Rafale fighter, designed for Qatar

[Vergennes]

@Taygibay
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credit : Guillaume Carré
​

On June 28, 2016, from the airport of the company Dassault Aviation had been performed the first flight of the built for Qatar Air Force fighter Dassault Rafale – the two-seater Rafale DQ (serial number DQ01). The plane was flown to flight-test center of the French Air Force airbase in Istres, where they will continue the testing program. For now, the fighter is without the identification signs of Air Force Qatar.​

The contract amounting to 6.3 billion euros was signed on May 4, 2015, and foresees the delivery of 24 fighter aircraft Dassault Rafale (18 single-seat Rafale EQ and six two-seater Rafale DQ) to Qatar, as well as missiles air-to-air MICA IR, MICA EM, and Meteor. It also envisages the supply of cruise missiles SCALP-EG and guided bombs, GBU, and AASM. Qatar Air Force should receive the first fighter Rafale in mid-2018 as the pace of deliveries will be one plane per month.


http://www.wingsjournal.com/first-flight-first-rafale-fighter-designed-qatar

 

[Hamoon]

Sir Check the title
designed for Qatar
or Produced for Qatar

 

[Taygibay]

@Hamoon, I think they mean due to additions like HMCS.
that are specific to Qatar so far as it will be ported for India.

But yes, designed is a bit of a stretch, agreed!

Had seen that news already ( as most often)
but glad you posted it as always, Vaubernes, mon pote!

And great evening both, Tay.

P.S. And now, let's quiet precious little Ronaldo on Sunday!

 

[Vergennes]

@Hamoon, I think they mean due to additions like HMCS.
that are specific to Qatar so far as it will be ported for India.

But yes, designed is a bit of a stretch, agreed!

Had seen that news already ( as most often)
but glad you posted it as always, Vaubernes, mon pote!

And great evening both, Tay.

P.S. And now, let's quiet precious little Ronaldo on Sunday! View attachment 316259

 

[Blue Marlin]

its very quick.....
i am assuming the french are holding back on deliveries now foreign orders are coming in. i hope they did not pay a premium like eygpt.

 

[Taygibay]

Nope Blue! The premium in the Qataris' case would be the formation of their pilots.

They choose brand new pilots with only an ab initio fast jets training. A full squadron
of the QEAF will be raised and certified in France ( at BA 113 Saint-Dizier & Ba 118 Mont-de-Marsan )

Thus, those planes are going to migrate within France first and there are talks about
making the Mont-de-Marsan Qa deployment a permanent fixture.

As for the deliveries delay, it was covered with the immediacy
of the Masr order's schedule. The LPM got real just with that.

Good day to you, pesky mate, Tay.

 

[MICA]

They are just getting a normal F3R but with HMCS and sniper pod , this is their modifications