(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) inaugurated yesterday a helicopter flight simulation centre at Al Udeid Air Base.
The AW 139 Helicopter Simulation Flight Training Facility was inaugurated by HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah, along with the Turkish Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli.
The centre is a training facility for pilots and aircraft crew using 3D technology at both the foundation, progressive and operational levels and in all climatic conditions.
Providing more than 3,800 training hours per year, the centre would help upgrade pilot's efficiency and reduce the operational cost of aircraft. The centre can also be linked to all aircraft simulators operated by the Emiri Air Force.
According to Daily Sabah Defence, the centre is Turkey's largest defence industry project in Qatar.
The flight simulator
"The flight simulator, built by the Turkish state-run air defence and military software company Havelsan, includes high-resolution satellite images of Qatar's entire sovereign territory and medium-resolution images of the larger Gulf area. The simulator costs about half the price of a helicopter, with more advanced technology essential for training," the Turkish daily said.
During the inauguration ceremony, Canikli described Turkey and Qatar as two brotherly countries enjoying a strategic partnership.
"Our ties in the field of defence will improve, and the new training facility is in accordance with our objectives," Canikli said.
"Turkey has advanced in defence sector, especially the drone technology. Turkey has caught up with the world especially in the UAV [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles] field. F-35 will probably be the last fighter jet to include a pilot," he said, adding that the future air combats would be led by drones.
Following the inauguration, al-Attiyah and Canikli inspected the facility together.
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