  We present the results of a complete leading-twist next-to-leading order
(NLO) QCD analysis of the spacelike pion electromagnetic form factor at large
momentum transfer Q. We have studied their dependence on the form of the pion
distribution amplitude. For a given distribution amplitude, we have examined
the sensitivity of the predictions to the choice of the renormalization and
factorization scales. Theoretical uncertainty of the LO results related to the
renormalization scale ambiguity has been significantly reduced by including the
NLO corrections. Adopting the criteria according to which a NLO prediction is
considered reliable if, both, the ratio of the NLO to LO contributions and the
strong coupling constant are reasonably small, we find that reliable
perturbative predictions for the pion electromagnetic form factor with all
distribution amplitudes considered can already be made at a momentum transfer
Q<10 GeV, with corrections to the LO results being typically of the order of ~
20%. To check our predictions and to discriminate between the distribution
amplitudes, it is necessary to obtain experimental data extending to higher
values of Q.
