Qatar Emiri Air Force’s helicopter fleet news
The Qatar Emiri Air Force's (QEAF) helicopter fleet is currently receiving a boost. As we reported before, sixteen H125 were ordered at Airbus (former Airbus Helicopters). New built H125 serial QA-320 was seen flying at their Johannesburg-Grand Central (South Africa) facility on 14 September 2020.
That particular Airbus branch supports Africa and Middle East customers. It carried full colours of the Al Zaeem Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air College at Al Udeid Air Force Base (Qatar). Interestingly, it seems the paint shop did not receive the correct instructions as the normal serial presentation for Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) serials is without the “-“ hyphen. Anyway, it seems the H125 serial batch runs from QA320 to QA325. Earlier some interim second hand AS350s have been identified.
On 24 January 2019, Scramble Magazine reported on the first sightings of the H125. The helicopter appeared at a graduation ceremony at the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Al Zaeem Air Academy. See https://www.facebook.com/Scramblemagazine/posts/2608415165851668
Meanwhile, Leonardo Helicopters at Vergiate (Italy) is busy producing and test flying the first QEAF AW169s. Three different AW169s have been seen, their serials are ending in 6, 7 and 9. The AW169 will also be operated by the Al Zaeem Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air College, hence the legend 'Al Zaeem' on the fuselage.
The AW169 must have been purchased as an advanced helicopter trainer after cadets learn to master the less complex H125 type. The serial batch is not clear yet, but Scramble Magazine assesses this could be either in the QA340 or QA380 range onwards.
The following AW169s, construction numbers and temporary Italian registrations, have been seen in the past few months:
c/n 69097 CSX81971 jun20
c/n 69099 CSX81972 apr20
c/n 69106 CSX81974 jun20
c/n 69108 CSX81975 jul20, Qatar serial ending in 9
The earlier mentioned AW169s with serials ending in 6 and 7 have been noted at Vergiate (Italy) as well in September 2020. These numbers were noted on the nose of the helicopter. First deliveries are expected soon.
Photos: Jono Druion, kindly provided by V1Images and Fabrizio Capenti/Malpensa Spotters Group, kindly provided by airliners.net