Qatar's future fleet of Dassault Rafale fighters will be equipped with Lockheed Martin Sniper targeting pods, the US company has announced.

"Pod deliveries to the Qatar Emiri Air Force will begin in 2019," says Lockheed. "Integration efforts are ongoing, with flight tests currently in progress."

Doha late last year announced its intention to bolster an order for 24 Rafales by adding a further 12 examples. Dassault has previously said deliveries will commence before the end of 2018.

Rafale Qatar - Dassault

Dassault

Lockheed notes that the Rafale will become the 10th aircraft type to operate with its Sniper pod, following the BAE Systems Harrier GR9, Boeing B-1B, B-52, F-15 and F/A-18, Eurofighter Typhoon, Fairchild Republic A-10, Lockheed F-16 and Mitsubishi F-2.

Source: FlightGlobal.com

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