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Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar has signed a £6 billion deal to buy 24 Typhoon fighter jets from the UK.
The deal was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah and his British counterpart Gavin Williamson in Doha on Sunday.
Williamson said it was the biggest order for Typhoons in a decade, and it follows a billion-dollar deal signed by Qatar on December 7 to buy 12 French Dassault Aviation warplanes.
"These formidable jets will boost the Qatari military's mission to tackle the challenges we both share in the Middle East, supporting stability in the region and delivering security at home," said Williamson.
The deal also includes Qatar's intent to buy further military equipment from Britain, namely Hawk aircraft.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two countries for this Typhoon contract in September.
The deal also includes an agreement for Brimstone and Meteor missiles and the highly-accurate Raytheon's Paveway IV UK-manufactured weapon for the jets.
Qatar and the UK also signed an agreement for building up a Joint Operational Squadron (JOS), which includes a joint operation and training squadron, and an electronic warfare system.
JOS is a unique squadron in the region, and is considered the nucleus of future joint operations between Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) and Royal Air Force (RAF) of the UK.
THE squadron tackles all air combat operations, ensuring combat readiness for all Qatari and British pilots and technicians. It will have a notable role in operational coverage and aerial security during FIFA 2022 World Cup events.
Joint Operational Squadron (JOS) will ensure ease of future real-time joint operations for both sides, as well as precision of joint procedures, in light of the two countries' partnership in combating terrorism.
The UK Defence Secretary also agreed on a package of training and co-operation between the air forces, which will see them working together more regularly, including Qatari pilots and ground-crew training in the UK.
The UK and Qatar share a close and longstanding defence relationship, with a joint-exercise between the Royal Air Force and the Qatar Emiri Air Force seeing Typhoon jets fly over the Arabian Peninsula only recently.
The two countries share mutual interests of countering violent extremism and ensuring stability in the region, and this purchase will deepen those ties by helping to prevent terrorism from spreading and protecting our prosperity and security at home.
Qatar is the ninth country to purchase the Typhoon, with this year seeing the first delivered to Oman.
