The State of Qatar has signed a contract for the purchase of “Super Mushshak” training aircraft from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

The contract was signed for Qatar by HE Commander of Al Zaeem Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air College Brigadier (Pilot) Salem Hamad Al Nabet for Qatar, and for Pakistan by Deputy Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Air Vice Marshal Arshad Malik.

Brig. Al Nabet expressed pleasure for signing the contact, noting that the new aircraft will provide the support needed to train pilots candidates in the College and will give a great impetus in the development of the training process.

He hailed the unlimited support which Al Zaeem Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Attiyah Air College enjoys from HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and the wise leadership.

He also extended thanks to HE the Minister of State for Defense Affairs who pays all the attention for training and education in the armed forces and for preparing qualified cadres of Qatari pilots annually.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar Shahzad Ahmed and a number of senior officers of the Qatari Armed Forces.

The PAC Super Mushshak (Proficient) is a more advanced, upgraded variant of the MFI-17 Mushshak basic trainer. It was designed by and is being manufactured at the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

Operators of Super Mushshak include:

• Pakistan Air Force – 40
• Royal Saudi Air Force – 20
• Royal Air Force of Oman – 8
• Iraqi Air Force – 20 ordered in February 2014.
• Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force – 25
• Uni Group Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, South Africa – 5
• Syrian Air Force – 6

Fitted with an American 260 hp engine, cockpit air conditioning, electrical instruments, and electric/manual elevator and rudder trim, the aircraft has been developed to meet FAR part 23 certification in normal, utility and aerobatics categories. It has a spacious side-by-side cockpit allowing good contact between the pilot and the co-pilot/observer or between the student and the instructor.

The Super Mushshak meets the requirements of a modern primary training syllabus and is an ideal basic trainer for basic flight training and instrument flying.