The Qatari Ministry of Defense announced that the Qatar Emiri Air Force shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bombers on March 2, 2026, marking Iran’s first confirmed aircraft losses since the start of the offensive.
According to the statement, Qatari forces also intercepted seven ballistic missiles with air defense systems and shot down five drones with naval support, while attacks on energy facilities in Mesaieed and Ras Laffan remain under damage assessment.
The Qatari government did not detail what means were used to neutralize the Iranian fighters, but the air force operates advanced models such as the F-15QA Ababil, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Dassault Rafale, as well as Patriot and NASAMS systems. If the F-15QA was responsible for the shootdown, the F-15 family’s history in air-to-air combat would be expanded. At the same time, a British Typhoon deployed in Qatar had already destroyed an Iranian drone on March 1.
The third day of Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion was also marked by American casualties. United States Central Command confirmed the loss of three F-15E Strike Eagles over Kuwait in an apparent case of friendly fire, in addition to the use of B-1B Lancer bombers in deep strikes against Iranian targets linked to the ballistic missile program. The number of US military personnel killed in the operation rose to six, according to the command.
+Iran’s naval drone hits oil tanker and increases tension in the Strait of Hormuz
At sea, the US claims to have destroyed 11 Iranian vessels, including the drone carrier Shahid Bagheri. Meanwhile, images indicate intensive MQ-9 Reaper drone operations over Iran, after the US and Israel declared local air superiority. Videos were also circulated showing actions by the Israel Defense Forces against missiles over Tehran, signaling that the conflict has entered a phase of direct confrontations and regional expansion.
Source: The Aviationist | Photo: X @front_ukrainian | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
❗️Two Iranian Su-24s were shot down by Qatari Air Force aircraft, according to a statement from the Qatari Ministry of Defense. pic.twitter.com/EYL3WdWSDf
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) March 2, 2026
– Ministry of Defense – State of Qatar (@MOD_Qatar) March 2, 2026
