LONDON -- Qatar has made its first payment as part of the purchase of new fighter jets and trainer aircraft.

On September 18, 2018, the U.K. government announced that BAE Systems had received a first payment from Qatar, setting into motion a contract to supply that country with 24 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and nine Hawk trainer aircraft. The total deal is worth around five billion pounds, according to a U.K. press release.

U.K. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said in a statement, "This monumental, multi-billion-pound deal is now officially in place, and those from across government and industry who have worked so hard on it together can be extremely proud to see it reach this stage. It’s a massive boost to the British defence industry, helping to support thousands of jobs, and it will help us further build the trust between the UK and Qatar to tackle the challenges we both share, support stability in the region and deliver security at home."

BAE Systems' Chief Executive, Charles Woodburn, noted, "The proven combination of Typhoon and Hawk will provide the Qatari Armed Forces with the most advanced and flexible multi-role combat aircraft on the market today, along with best in class support and training."

The Qatari government has moved forward rapidly with the procurement of the Typhoon. Qatar and the U.K. signed a letter of intent regarding 24 Typhoons and six Hawks in September 2017. (The size of the Hawk order was later increased to nine.) In December of that year, the two finalized the deal, with an understanding that Qatar would make a first payment around mid-2018. BAE Systems released an update on the contract in late June 2018, which indicated that the first payment still had not arrived but "would be received in the third quarter of 2018."

With the contract now in effect, Qatar can expect to start taking delivery of the Typhoons in 2022, according to the U.K. Qatari pilots ahead of time are being trained on the operation of the aircraft in partnership with British personnel. The U.K. government noted in a press release, "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."

The Typhoon order adds to Qatar's procurement of Rafale and F-15 fighter jets.

Source: U.K. Government
Associated URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/qatari-jet-export-deal-swings-into-action