Qatar to buy 12 additional Typhoon fighters
9 December, 2024 The first three Qatar Air Force Typhoon fighters are heading to Qatar. Photo: BAE Systems The Qatari government plans to purchase 12 additional Typhoon fighter jets as part of strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
This was reported by the Financial Times. The plans to purchase additional British-made Typhoon fighter jets were announced after the visit of the Emir of Qatar to the United Kingdom, where he met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In addition, the Qatari government officially announced the continuation of cooperation between the Qatar Air Force and the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom on joint training as part of a British squadron and support for the Eurofighter program even after 2030.
A Qatar Air Force Typhoon fighter.
Photo: BAE Systems
The contract for the purchase of the aircraft has not yet been signed due to discussions on the terms of the purchase and the version of the aircraft to be ordered for the Qatar Air Force. Currently, the aviation sector of BAE Systems in the UK is going through a difficult time due to the suspension of the Typhoon production line in Wharton. BAE Systems is completing the execution of signed contracts, but due to the UK government's reluctance to invest in the Eurofighter program, production will be suspended until new orders are placed.
In the first half of 2025, the company is to deliver the last two aircraft from Qatar's preliminary order for 24 Typhoons worth GBP5 billion signed in 2018. In addition to Qatar, which intends to purchase 12 additional aircraft, negotiations are also underway with Turkey, which plans to purchase 40 fighters. It is not yet known whether these will be new fighters or those in service with the air forces of a European user country.
A Qatar Air Force Typhoon fighter.
Photo: BAE Systems
As a reminder, the German government has recently given the green light to export Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey. In order to make this decision, the consortium states, namely the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, exerted considerable pressure to implement this export agreement and receive additional contributions to the Eurofighter program. The Turkish Air Force is currently planning to replace its obsolete F-4E Phantom 2 aircraft, which were upgraded to the Terminator 2000 variant in early 2000.
Despite the integration of new weapons and onboard systems, the airframe has reached the end of its service life, which calls into question its active and effective use in the event of war.