The UK and Qatar have signed a statement of intent to boost defence ties between the two countries.
It was signed by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah during a visit to RAF Coningsby.
The airforce base is home to UK-Qatari joint Typhoon squadron and the agreement outlined how the UK will provide a base for the recently acquired nine Hawk aircraft of Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF).
The acquisition of the aircraft will pave way for a possible UK-Qatari Hawk squadron, which is expected to increase the two countries’ defence relationship and help in the security and stability of the region.
Qatar and the UK have been working to safeguard the stability of the Middle East.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his Qatari counterpart have committed to strengthening the UK-Qatar defence relationship during a joint visit to RAF Coningsby today.
During a tour of the base, which is already home to the UK-Qatari joint Typhoon squadron, the two Defence Ministers signed a Statement of Intent setting out how the UK will offer a British base for the Qatari Emiri Air Forces (QEAF) recently acquired nine Hawk aircraft.
The QEAF’s latest acquisition opens doors for a potential new UK-Qatari Hawk squadron which would further deepen the UKs defence relationship with Qatar and contribute to the security and stability of the Middle East.
Qatar and the UK work closely together to protect that stability. The details of the latest strike by RAF Reaper unmanned aircraft against Daesh have also been released today by the Ministry of Defence that were co-ordinated by the RAFs No.83 Expeditionary Air Group in Al Udeid, Qatar.
Recently, the RAF Reaper unmanned aircraft launched a strike against Daesh. The attack was carried out in co-operation with RAF’s No.83 Expeditionary Air Group in Al Udeid in Qatar.
Wallace said: “Today we mark the start of an exciting new chapter in the longstanding defence relationship between the UK and Qatar, reinforcing and strengthening the bonds our armed forces already share.
“Building upon the success of our joint Typhoon squadron, this new era of collaboration will deliver prosperity and security benefits for both our nations.”
The event also marked the opening of the new joint Typhoon squadron (12 Squadron) headquarters. The 12 Squadron is said to be the first joint squadron of the UK since the Second World War.
It is expected to enable both the airforces to train together.
Last week, the UK and Ukraine signed an MoI to develop the capabilities of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
© 2020, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Be the first to comment