Ukrainian teams of experts in intercepting Iranian drones, numbering over 200 servicemembers, have been working in Middle Eastern countries for several days now. Specifically in Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, as well as Saudi Arabia.
However, some problems seem to have arisen in Qatar. The thing is, in exchange for its assistance, Ukraine apparently wants to receive from Qatar their entire fleet of Mirage 2000-5 fighters, numbering 12 aircraft, but Doha is ignoring the requests, according to Intelligence Online.
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Defense Express adds that these Mirage 2000-5s have long been retired from service in the Qatar Air Force and are no longer needed there. They have been trying to find buyers for their Mirage 2000-5s for many years, during which time several unsuccessful deals were concluded.
According to available information, these fighters are in good technical condition. Specifically, nine single-seat Mirage 2000-5EDA and three two-seat training Mirage 2000-5DDA are in storage in Qatar. They were ordered from France back in 1994.
To replace them, Qatar ordered and has already received 36 new French Rafale fighters. Overall, Qatar has long been considered as a country from which Ukraine could receive additional Mirage 2000-5s, since those that France has transferred and is going to transfer, totaling 6 machines, are obviously insufficient.
For Qatar, such a deal in which Ukraine would help defend against Iranian drones in exchange for 12 retired Mirage 2000-5s looks quite beneficial. This is because there, as in other Persian Gulf countries, they are currently suffering from iranian drones that destroy valuable radars, aircraft, oil and gas infrastructure, as well as other targets.
Such a deal would not weaken Qatar's air force, since they have a truly large aircraft fleet of various planes, totaling 98 fighters at once, including: 22 Eurofighter Typhoon, 40 F-15QA, as well as 36 Rafale.
However, it seems that Qatar currently does not agree to this, or negotiations are ongoing. It's worth noting that no official confirmation of Ukraine's request to receive these fighters in exchange for its assistance has been announced, so this information should be treated with caution. Although it’s known that Ukraine hopes to receive additional PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems in exchange for interceptor drones.
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