Summary

In the next ten years, Qatar will continue to aggressively develop its defensive capabilities in line with the economic growth and strategic significance it has achieved in the past decade, and proportionate to the general risk and volatility in the region in which Qatar finds itself located. In addition, Qatar will seek to develop unique and unparalleled military capabilities for a state of its size that enable it to capitalize on its other diplomatic and political advantages, rather than seeking to win wars with brute force like larger, more populated states can, positioning Qatar in a position where it is prepared to move through the 21st century's tectonic shifts in technology, economy, and ideology.

​

Emergent Technology

Qatar's ample fiscal resources and relative lack of legacy equipment and defense obligations free up Qatar to pursue new and exciting areas of defense technology that will allow for its small force to pack a substantial punch. Qatar will continue to seek only the absolute best in defense solutions for itself, prioritizing a high degree of automation, advanced electronic capabilities, and open systems that allow for future upgrades.

​

Qatar will prioritize investment in new, highly dynamic areas of defense research, areas that are often undercapitalized by foreign governments, and help propel innovation to create novel, highly advanced solutions to Qatari problems. This is especially to be the case in the air and space domains.

​

Space: The Final Frontier

Within the next five years, the Qatar Emiri Space Force will be established in line with moves by Western and Eastern militaries to separate the space domain into its own service branch. Space is an excellent equalizer, requires relatively little manpower, and while Qatar cannot feasibly hope to get launch services of its own, it does maintain good relations with essentially every nation-state that can provide launch services, most notably the United States, a vital strategic partner.

​

Qatar will seek to fully develop and exploit the unparalleled revolution in technology that will allow for even smaller states like Qatar to acquire the kind of advanced reconnaissance, communications and intelligence systems once solely the province of the superpowers; however, it will continue to pursue efforts to ensure that space does not become itself a theatre of armed conflict diplomatically. Qatar will not pursue space-based weapons systems, or anti-satellite missiles.

​

Air: Might Arabs Rule The Skies?

The major fighter acquisitions of the Qatari Emiri Air Force are already set in stone, so as to that matter, there is relatively little to discuss. Long-term, Qatar will require a fifth, if not sixth, generation fighter aircraft. The most promising candidate is the Turkish TF-X project, but all alternatives are presently on the table.

​

More interesting are capabilities that will enhance the abilities of Qatar in terms of range, logistical capability and diplomatic capacity. The acquisition of 6 P-1 and 12 C-2 aircraft from Japan has won us not a few friends in Tokyo, while the new, highly advanced maritime patrol aircraft will provide Qatar with the ability to both protect its shores and project power over land with its long range, loiter time, and payload capacity. Qatar will continue to seek to increase its logistical capabilities in the skies, with the C-2 program the next step in replacing its C-130s. An acquisition of additional strategic airlifters is likely, but options on the market currently are, unfortunately, very limited, and will probably remain so until the end of the Russo-Ukrainian War.

​

In addition to these acquisitions, Qatar also intends to enhance its airborne intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities through the acquisition of dedicated AEW systems and ELINT/EW aircraft, possibly including electronic attack aircraft. The acquisition of more drones and unmanned capabilities has also been mooted.

​

Finally, Qatar will continue to invest in and enhance its air defense, especially as the war in Ukraine proves the continued viability and necessity of modern air-defense systems. In particular, Qatar will seek to develop solutions to counter drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.

​

Qatar Cutters

The Qatar Emiri Navy, long neglected, is finally to receive its due share of attention, with the new corvettes to soon be joined by a completed Italian-made landing platform dock. The existing fast attack craft will be replaced by more modern vessels, while other strategic procurements will include a class of full-sized, versatile submarines, various landing and utility craft, and, finally, a new fleet of minesweeper/minehunters given the confined waters of the Persian Gulf.

​

Qatar's naval aviation capabilities will also be significantly expanded. This may result in the acquisition of fixed-wing fighter-bombers, but will mostly consist of helicopters and the newly acquired maritime patrol aircraft.

​

Finally, Qatar intends to construct a new hospital ship to contribute to its humanitarian and diplomatic efforts abroad.

​

Ground Pounders

Qatar's ground forces are in the somewhat odd position of having no clear role. On their own, they can do little more than hope to deter an invading force; they provide support to internal security while also being by far the greatest potential threat to the ruling dynasty or whichever particular prince sits at the top at any present moment.

​

Investment, likely limited, will focus on further mechanization and acquisition of modern self propelled armor and artillery systems, along with drones. The ground forces will also work to acquire long-range rocket artillery, presently not in Qatari inventory, and also seek to enhance the coastal defenses of Qatar and its islets. Qatar will also work to develop strategic missile capabilities itself, though whether these are delivered by land, sea, or air is yet uncertain.