welcomed his counterpart,
His Excellency Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, to London. They
spoke about the future of the defence relationship, underpinned
by the recently agreed partnership on a Joint Typhoon Squadron
and Qatar’s acquisition of the aircraft.
Regional security and the furthering of defence collaboration and
dialogue across the Gulf, in the face of mutual threats to
security and stability, was also discussed.
Defence Secretary said:
Our two nations enjoy extremely strong links. From the
coalition air campaign headquarters in Qatar, we work together
to stamp out the threat from Daesh. We trade together,
significantly boosting the British economy, and it is vital
that we continue to forge this relationship to ensure the
mutual safety of our people.
As part of his visit to the UK, the Qatari Defence Minister also
visited BAE Systems sites in Warton and Samlesbury to cut steel,
officially marking the start of production on the first Typhoon
fighter jets. Qatar’s acquisition of Typhoon will see the first
aircraft will be delivered to the Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF)
in 2022. Qatar’s deal to purchase the Typhoon and Hawk recently
achieved contract effectiveness, supporting BAE Systems, its
nearly 35,000 employees and the 9,000 companies in its supply
chain.
The deal, representing a distinct and tailored package will see
the Royal Air Force and QAAF working together in a new Typhoon
Joint Squadron. This unique partnership was marked by the visit
to the UK by His Highness the Amir of Qatar in July, and his
participation in a ceremony marking the reformation of 12
Squadron as the new Joint Squadron.
The joint squadron will initially be based in the UK, comprising
of pilots and ground crew, based at RAF Coningsby. This
represents a unique initiative, which will allow QAAF to
familiarise themselves with the aircraft ahead of delivery. Not
since the Battle of Britain has the UK formed a squadron with
another nation and this new partnership will help forge lasting
bonds between the RAF and their Qatari counterparts.
Qatar is the ninth country to purchase the Typhoon, with the deal
sustaining thousands of jobs. The UK is a world-leader in the
combat air sector, with a mix of skills and technologies unique
in Europe. The sector delivers a turnover of more than £6bn a
year and has made up over 80% of defence exports from the UK over
the last ten years.
