Aviation News – The Qatar Emiri Air Force has shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer bombers while intercepting multiple missiles and drones, marking a sharp escalation in regional air combat and the first confirmed Iranian aircraft losses of the conflict.
According to the Qatari Ministry of Defense, the engagements occurred on March 2, 2026, during the third consecutive day of combat operations against Iran. Officials said Qatari defenses destroyed two tactical strike aircraft along with seven ballistic missiles and five unmanned aerial vehicles targeting national airspace. The ministry described the interceptions as part of a coordinated defensive campaign aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and population centers.
The Qatar Emiri Air Force employed a layered air-defense network combining fighter patrols with ground-based intercept systems to detect and neutralize threats at long and short range. The downing of the Su-24 bombers underscores the effectiveness of Qatar’s radar coverage, command-and-control integration, and rapid scramble capability, enabling aircraft and missile threats to be intercepted before reaching strategic targets.
