Qatar’s deal to buy 24 Typhoon jets and nine Hawks is officially effective after BAE Systems received its first payment on 18th September. Qatar is the fourth country in the region to order the Typhoon — after Oman (12 aircraft), Kuwait (28) and Saudi Arabia (72) — and the ninth overall.

The deal, worth around £5bn, includes the aircraft and a bespoke support and training package. Qatar is now buying nine Hawk trainers, rather than six. 

UK Export Finance’s (UKEF) £5bn package of support was vital to securing the deal, including by providing financing and insurance. UKEF’s role is to support UK exports including by providing export finance to enable overseas buyers to purchase goods and services from the UK, and export insurance for companies selling overseas. 

The Typhoon order was confirmed in December 2017. Deliveries of the first Typhoon aircraft are expected to commence in 2022. 

The deal involves a package of training and co-operation between the British and Qatari Air Forces which will see them working closely together in the future. A new UK-based Typhoon joint squadron, reformed as No.12 squadron, will comprise both Qatari Emiri Air Force and RAF personnel, including pilots and ground-crew based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire ahead of the delivery of the aircraft.

It is the first time that the RAF has formed a squadron with another nation since the Second World War and the Battle of Britain.