UK-based global major aerospace and defence group BAE Systems on Monday handed over the first of the Typhoon multirole fighters ordered by the Middle Eastern country of Qatar. The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) is acquiring 24 Typhoons.

The aircraft was handed over to the QEAF at BAE Systems’ Warton plant, in the UK. It will be ferried to Qatar later this month and will be available to help provide aerial security for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, being held in that country (starting on November 20).

“[This] marks the latest significant milestone in our partnership with the Qatar Armed Forces and demonstrates our commitment and support as they prepare to host the FIFA World Cup,” affirmed BAE Systems air sector business development director Tony Gilchrist. “We are working in partnership with the QEAF to ensure we transfer the skills and knowledge required to support, maintain and upgrade both their Typhoon and Hawk aircraft."

The Typhoon order is only part, although the largest part, of a larger Qatari programme with BAE Systems. This also includes the acquisition by the QEAF of nine Hawk lead-in fighter-trainers, of which some have already been delivered but are currently operating in the UK, and a six-year availability support programme. The overall programme contract was signed by the two parties in December 2017.

Qatar is a close ally of the UK. To help support and accelerate the Typhoon’s entry into operational service in Qatar, the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) and the QEAF set up a joint Typhoon squadron (designated as 12 Squadron RAF). This followed the creation of a joint RAF-QEAF Hawk squadron (based in the UK but designated as 11 Squadron QEAF).

“[This] Typhoon delivery is another exciting milestone for our joint UK-Qatar collaboration, which will see sharing of training and expertise between our respective air forces and will ensure both our nations stay at the forefront of defence capability,” highlighted UK Defence Secretary (Cabinet Minister) Ben Wallace. “This joint project underlines how much Britain values its Middle East partnerships.”

Interestingly and unusually, the QEAF also operates Dassault Rafael multirole fighters (usually seen as a rival to the Typhoon) from France. It further operates Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle strike fighters from the US.

Developed by a four-nation consortium (Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK), organised as Eurofighter, the Typhoon is produced at four different assembly lines, one in each of these countries. Eurofighter coordinates Typhoon design, production and upgrading, and is currently owned 46% by Airbus Defence and Space (covering both Germany and Spain), 33% by BAE Systems and 21% by Italy’s Leonardo.