The first batch of the Pakistani primary trainer aircraft (Super Mushshak) has arrived in Doha, the moral guidance directorate of the Defence Ministry announced yesterday.
On this occasion, Qatar Armed Forces held a launch event at Al Zaeem Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Atiyyah Air College under the patronage of HE the Chief of Staff, Major General Ghanim bin Shaheen al-Ghanim, Major-General Ahmed bin Ibrahim al-Malki, Deputy Commander of the Emiri Air Force and a high-level delegation from Pakistan which included Officers from the Pakistan Air Force, several members of the embassy and the Pakistani military attache.
During the event, they reviewed the college’s training programmes and its future plans.
Brigadier Salem Hamad Aqeel al-Nabit, Commander of Al Zaeem Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Atiyyah Air College, expressed his pride at the arrival of the first batch of Super Mushshak which is considered a unique and quality addition to the training aircraft fleet in the college.
He added the development plans pursued by the college are proceeding according to plan in line with the development in all the other armed forces sectors.
Al-Nabit said the college’s development wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the direct support it receives from His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, HE Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah and HE the Chief of Staff Major General Ghanim bin Shaheen al-Ghanim.
The Pakistani Super Mushshak aircraft will provide training support to the pilot candidates of the college as these turbofan engine planes are used in primary and fundamental military air training, in addition to parades and night flying.
The MFI-17 Mushshak is produced by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and consists of two or three seats, with a wingspan of 8.85 meters, length 7.15 meters and a maximum speed of 268 km per hour.
After exchanging souvenirs between both sides, the delegation toured the facilities of the college, training rooms, simulation systems and airfields.
The aircraft which are used for vertical training will improve the college’s pilot candidates training and will substitute the Gazelle aircraft used currently.
The purchase agreement was signed in June 2016.
Al Zaeem Mohamed Bin Abdullah Al Atiyyah Air College is the first military college in the region to receive ISO 9001 quality system certification. The college recently graduated the fourth batch of combat pilots.