Qatar requests $1.1bn FMS for F-15QA fleet infrastructure building

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World Defense & Security News - Qatar
 
 
Qatar requests $1.1bn FMS for F-15QA fleet infrastructure building
 
The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Qatar for support of its F-15QA multi-role fighter aircraft program for an estimated cost of $1.1 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Nov. 1.
     
Qatar requests 1bn FMS for F 15QA fleet infrastructure building 640 001Qatar will procure the Boeing Advanced Eagle, seen here in its F-15SA configuration for the Royal Saudi Air Force
Here, a RSAF F-15SA undergoing flight tests with USAF pilots
(Credit: USAF)
     
According to the DSCA, the Qatar requested support of its F-15QA multi-role fighter aircraft program to include design and construction services, new parking/loading ramps, hot cargo pads, taxiways, hangars, back shops, alert facilities, weapons storage areas, hardened shelters, squadron operations facilities, maintenance facilities, training facilities, information technology support and cyber facilities, force protection support facilities, squadron operations facilities, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $1.1 billion.

"A robust construction, cybersecurity, and force protection infrastructure is vital to ensuring the QEAF partners can utilize the F-15QA aircraft to its full potential. Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing this support into its armed forces," the DSCA said.

The prime contractor for construction, cybersecurity, and force protection infrastructure will be determined through competition.

Implementation of the construction, cybersecurity, and force protection aspects of this notification include the establishment of a construction office in Doha with as many as 10 U.S. Government civilians which will adjust in size as case workload varies. Anticipated contractor footprint for this effort is approximately 15 to fifty 50 personnel, which may vary based on phases of construction and establishment of required services.

On June 2017, Qatar's Minister of Defense Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah announced the signing of the letter of offer and acceptance for the purchase of as many as 36 F-15QA fighter jets, with an initial cost of 12 billion dollars.

In November 2016, the United States State Department approved possible sale of up to 72 F-15QA aircraft to Qatar worth US$21.1 billion. Boeing Co is the prime contractor on the fighter jet sale to the Middle East nation. It appears now this agreement will be for about half that.