Qatar Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 78th
MPR SCORE: 372
MPR Index: 0.1310 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8235 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.205 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Qatar ranks 76th globally in the 2024 Military Power Rankings. Qatar’s military, the Qatar Armed Forces (QAF), is relatively small but well-equipped and technologically advanced. Due to its wealth from natural gas and oil, Qatar has invested heavily in modern military equipment, especially in air and naval capabilities. The country plays an important role in regional stability and maintains strong military relationships with key allies such as the United States, where a major U.S. airbase is located in Qatar, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 16,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 5,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 10,000 (Internal Security Forces)
Army Personnel: 8,000
Navy Personnel: 3,000
Air Force Personnel: 5,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 100+ (Leopard 2A7)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 700+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 100+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 60+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 30+
Transport Aircraft: 20+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Rafale Fighter Jets: 36
F-15QA Eagles: 24 (multi-role fighters)
AH-64 Apache Helicopters: 10 (attack helicopters)
Naval Forces
Qatar’s naval capabilities are focused on patrolling its territorial waters and protecting offshore oil and gas facilities. The country has invested in modernizing its naval fleet.
Corvettes: 7 (Al Zubarah-class)
Patrol Vessels: 10+
Fast Attack Craft: 10
Missile Capabilities
Qatar has a limited missile defense capability, primarily based on short-range air defense systems. The country does not possess strategic missile systems such as ballistic or hypersonic missiles.
Strategic Partnerships
Qatar maintains a strong military partnership with the United States, hosting the Al Udeid Air Base, a critical U.S. military installation in the Middle East. Qatar is also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and cooperates closely with neighboring countries on defense and security issues. In recent years, Qatar has also increased its defense partnerships with European nations, particularly France.
Military History & Combat Experience
Qatar’s military posture is shaped less by traditional warfare and more by coalition participation, asymmetric security threats, and the strategic use of wealth and alliances to project influence. Though it has not fought major wars independently, Qatar’s armed forces have taken part in key regional operations and exercises that reflect a policy of strategic alignment with larger powers.
Gulf War (1991):
Qatar participated in the U.S.-led coalition to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, contributing ground troops and logistical support. While its combat involvement was limited, the war marked Qatar’s entry into modern multilateral operations and solidified its military ties with the United States.Operation Unified Protector – Libya (2011):
Qatar played a prominent role in the NATO-led intervention in Libya, deploying six Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets and two C-17 transport aircraft. Its Air Force conducted combat air patrols and helped enforce the no-fly zone over Libyan airspace. Additionally, Qatar provided covert arms shipments and military advisors to anti-Gaddafi rebel factions, marking its most direct involvement in a foreign war.Syrian Civil War (2012–present, indirect):
Although not directly engaged militarily, Qatar has been a major supporter of rebel groups opposing Bashar al-Assad, providing weapons, training, and financial assistance. It also supported U.S. and Gulf-backed operations against ISIS, hosting key airbases and intelligence coordination platforms.Yemen Conflict (2015–2017):
Qatar initially contributed to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, deploying aircraft and special forces to support operations against Houthi rebels. However, its involvement ended abruptly in 2017 following the Gulf diplomatic rift, when it was expelled from the coalition amid accusations of sympathies with Iran and Islamist groups.Ongoing U.S. Strategic Cooperation (1992–present):
Qatar hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, which has served as a launch point for operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and broader CENTCOM activities. This long-term basing agreement underscores Qatar’s strategic importance and indirect exposure to military conflict, especially through command, control, and ISR integration.
Though Qatar’s direct combat record is limited, its financial, logistical, and airpower support roles in multiple theaters—Libya, Syria, and Yemen—underscore a foreign policy centered on influence through coalition warfare and proxy engagement, while maintaining internal security with elite special forces and rapid response units
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~2.8 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~900,000
Geographic Area: 11,586 km²
Land Boundaries: 87 km
Bordering Countries: Saudi Arabia
Coastline: 563 km
Climate: Arid desert; very hot summers
Terrain: Flat and barren desert plain
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, fish
Proven Oil Reserves: ~25.2 billion barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~871 trillion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$12.5 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~4.1%
GDP (PPP): ~$330 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$114,000
External Debt: ~$170 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): High; focus on air and naval modernization
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (4–12 months)
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, internal security, Gulf deterrence
Military Industry Base: Developing; joint ventures with Turkish and Western firms
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Advanced; with Turkish and U.S. support
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided under Qatar Armed Forces General Command
Missile Inventory Highlights: Patriot PAC-3, Exocet, Javelin, NASAMS, HIMARS
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Rapid activation; within 15–30 days
Reservist Force Size: ~30,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Operates Es’hail satellites (dual-use comms)
Military Satellite Inventory: 2 (communications)
Intelligence Infrastructure: Military Intelligence Directorate, State Security Bureau
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: U.S., Turkey, NATO partners
Airports (Total): ~7
Major Military Airports: Al Udeid AB, Doha AB
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~85 vessels
Major Ports: Hamad Port, Doha
Naval Infrastructure: Modern; includes fast attack craft, corvettes, OPVs
Naval Replenishment Capability: Strong for Gulf operations
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: Under construction (Doha Metro, GCC Rail)
Roadways: ~9,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~1.3 million barrels/day
Energy Imports: None; major net exporter
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains strong reserves via QatarEnergy
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Focus on vehicles, naval craft, UAVs via partnerships
Military Installations (Domestic): Bases in Doha, Al Udeid, Al Sailiya
Military Installations (Overseas): Presence in Turkey (TARTEK base)
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: U.S. CENTCOM HQ at Al Udeid; Turkish trainers
Defense Alliances: U.S., Turkey, GCC
Strategic Airlift Capability: Operates C-17, C-130J, Boeing 747s
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate; supported by energy sector and imports
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Focus on cyber, aerospace, autonomous systems
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: QatarEnergy, QTerminals, Barzan Holdings, logistics and aviation
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Doha
Founding Date: September 3, 1971 (independence from UK)
System of Government: Absolute monarchy
