Levent Kenez/Stockholm
The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced the establishment of the Turkish-Qatari Joint Air Squadron within the Turkish-Qatar Joint Combined Command in Doha on August 27. The Turkish Air Force commander, Gen. Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, conducted the first flight with Maj. Gen. Jassim Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mannai, commander of the Qatar Emiri Air Force.
On July 30, 2024 six F-16 fighter jets belonging to the Turkish Air Force were permanently deployed to Qatar. With the arrival of the F-16s, the Turkish Armed Forces’ presence at the Tariq bin Ziyad Barracks, where the Turkish-Qatari Joint Combined Command is headquartered, was significantly increased. The Qatari Air Force has assigned Rafale fighter jets to the joint squadron.
Since 2021 Greece has been operating French Rafale aircraft and placing new orders to expand its fleet. This development has prompted Turkey to seek assistance in gaining operational experience against these advanced jets. To address this a military agreement was signed between Turkey and Qatar in March 2021. According to this agreement, 36 Qatari fighter jets and 250 personnel were stationed in Turkey under the jurisdiction of the Turkish General Staff.
Video released by the Turkish Ministry of Defense showcasing the visit of the Turkish Air Force commander:
By integrating Rafale aircraft into joint exercises and training operations, the Turkish Air Force will enhance its proficiency and tactical understanding of these advanced fighters. This arrangement not only strengthens Turkey-Qatar military ties but also provides Turkey with valuable experience in countering and operating alongside Rafale jets, which are a key asset in Greece’s defense strategy.
In addition to the air force, the Turkish Navy has also increased its presence in Qatar. On July 26 the navy dispatched two patrol ships, the TCG Kuşadası and the TCG Kumkale, to Qatar within the Turkey-Qatar Joint Combined Command.
Since 2015 Turkey has been deploying land forces in Qatar. In 2017, the Turkish Ground Component Command was rebranded as the Turkish-Qatari Joint Combined Command. Since its establishment, this command has overseen a Turkish military base in Qatar, which currently houses around 3,000 troops.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense has stated that the deployment of naval and air assets to Qatar is in accordance with bilateral agreements, aiming to enhance joint exercises and advisory activities.
However, Turkey’s military presence in Qatar was established with the goal of contributing to the defense of the small Gulf nation. In 2017, when Qatar faced a diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt, Turkey increased its troop presence in Qatar to support the nation’s security. These Gulf countries later demanded that Turkish troops leave Qatar as part of their efforts to normalize relations with Doha. Over time Turkey has worked to improve its relations with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, and the issue of the military base has since become less prominent.
To support security measures during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Turkey sent a police force of 3,250 officers to Doha, including members of its elite special operations unit.
Qatar and Turkey have been in close cooperation in recent years. Turkish opposition circles claim that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani are, in fact, business partners. Critics frequently allege that the real owners of the factories and companies in Turkey that Qatari businessmen have recently bought are the Erdogan family.
In 2020 President Erdogan labeled criticism of bilateral economic agreements granting privileges to Qatar as fascism, stating, “When the investor is American or British, there’s no outcry, but when the investor is Qatari, they launch vicious attacks.”
The sale of the BMC armored vehicle factory to Qatari partners at a significantly reduced price in 2014, involving businesspeople close to Erdogan, had been a major topic of debate in Turkey. Opposition claims suggested that the land value of the factory alone exceeded the total sale price.
