An inauguration ceremony for Qatar’s F-15QA, dubbed Ababeel was held in the United States of America Thursday in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs visited Boeing Defense, Space and Security in Missouri and inspected the production line for manufacturing the F-15QA aircrafts, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Ababeel fighters feature next-generation combat aircraft technologies, such as electronic flight controls, an all-glass digital cockpit, state-of-the-art sensors, advanced radar technology, and electronic warfare capabilities backed by digital engineering and advanced manufacturing, making them a transformative leap for the F-15 fighters.

Ababeel will enhance the air superiority of the Qatar Amiri Air Force with more advanced fighters and a greater range and payload compared to any other fighter.

The inauguration comes within the framework of cooperation between the Qatar Amiri Air Force and the US Air Force. The first group of Ababeel fighters will arrive in the State of Qatar later this year after completing the initial training for the air crews in the United States of America.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States of America Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani, HE Commander of Qatar Amiri Air Force Major General (Pilot) Salem Hamad Aqeil Al Nabet and high-ranking officers of the Amiri Air Force.

From the US side, the event was attended by Director of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Heidi Grant, Governor of the US State of Missouri Michael L. Parson, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security Leanne Caret and a number of officers of the US forces.