Qatar and RAF sign agreement for joint typhoon squadron DATE 090302023 CREDIT MOD.jpg — The two-year joint agreement will see the RAF and Qatar Emiri Air Force operate out of RAF Coningsby (Picture: MOD).

Politics

RAF and Qatari air force sign agreement to continue joint Typhoon operations

The UK's Royal Air Force and Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) have signed an agreement that will see both countries continue to operate a joint Typhoon squadron for the next two years.

Pilots and groundcrews from both nations will be working together to further strengthen their interoperability and will be based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

An agreement was signed at the UK Ministry of Defence in London by the Commander of the Qatar Emiri Air Force, Major General Jassim Al-Mannai and Deputy Commander Capability Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton for the RAF.

The announcement comes after 12 Squadron's return home last week from a six-month deployment to the Middle East, the RAF's longest-ever Typhoon squadron deployment.

Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, said: "I am delighted this extension agreement has been signed.

"Qatar is an important regional partner and we in the Royal Air Force look forward to continuing to develop this close partnership, to the benefit of both Air Forces and nations," he said, adding that the continued partnership will be important to "promoting peace and stability" in the region.

RAF typhoon return home from qatar DATE 090320223 CREDIT MOD .jpg — The RAF's 12 Squadron supported the formation of the first QEAF Typhoon squadron (Picture: MOD).

During the deployment in Qatar, 12 Squadron supported the formation of the first QEAF Typhoon squadron, 7 Squadron, and the integration of Qatar's first Typhoon aircraft.

By November 2022, 7 Squadron was established and the QEAF Typhoons took to the skies alongside 12 Squadron to provide air security for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.