UK, Qatar Sign $8 Billion Deal for 24 Typhoon Aircraft

The British and Qatari governments have signed a £6 billion ($8 billion) agreement to supply Qatar with 24 Typhoon aircraft.

The British Defense Secretary, Gavin Williamson and his Qatari counterpart, Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah, oversaw the signing of the contract, building on the statement of intent signed in September this year, UK ministry of defense said in a statement Sunday.

In addition, the agreement signed includes an intention to proceed with the purchase of Hawk aircraft, the statement said.

The aircraft will be assembled in the UK by BAE Systems, supporting thousands of jobs, especially at the company’s Warton site in Lancashire where it will secure work on the production line into the next decade.

The deal also includes an agreement with MBDA for Brimstone and Meteor missiles and Raytheon’s Paveway IV UK-manufactured weapon for the jets. The Defence Secretary also agreed 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.