UK announces RAF and Royal Navy support to Qatar World Cup 2022
皇冠体育app UK has announced its commitment to helping Qatar deliver a safe and secure FIFA World Cup 2022. 皇冠体育app announcement coincides with this week鈥檚 visit by the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani to the UK, where he met with the Prime Minister.
皇冠体育app Ministry of Defence will support Qatar with military capabilities to counter terrorism and other threats to the tournament. This will include maritime security support from the Royal Navy, advanced venue search training, operational planning and command and control support, and further specialist advice.
皇冠体育app Joint Typhoon Squadron, also known as 12 Squadron, is based at RAF Coningsby and is operated by RAF and QEAF personnel. During the deployment they will support counter-terrorism efforts through air security operations.
Since their formation as a joint squadron in June 2020, 12 Squadron have exercised regularly in Qatar and the World Cup deployment coincides with a pre-planned deployment.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace MP said:
Making sure citizens from across the world can enjoy attending the World Cup, Britain and Qatar will join forces to provide air policing in the skies above the tournament.
I am delighted that our joint squadron with the Qatari Emiri Air Force of Typhoons will patrol the airspace during the tournament.
Defence cooperation with Qatar has been long standing. Qatar remains the only partner with whom the RAF operates joint squadrons 鈥� 11 Squadron Qatari Emiri Air Force, the Joint Hawk Training Squadron at RAF Leeming, and 12 Squadron, the Joint Typhoon Squadron at RAF Coningsby.
皇冠体育app partnerships aim to provide RAF personnel with access to increased aircraft flying hours, give the Qatari Emiri Air Force access to world-class RAF accredited training, and see long-term investment in RAF infrastructure and training facilities.
皇冠体育app comprises of a series of contracts between the Qatar Armed Forces (QAF). Qatar鈥檚 contract with BAE Systems is for 24 Typhoons, 9 Hawk jet trainers and a bespoke support and training package, alongside a contract with MBDA for an associated weapons package. 皇冠体育appse contracts are collectively聽worth in excess of 拢6bn and are supporting and sustaining thousands of jobs in the UK.
皇冠体育app Qatari Emiri Air Force is overseeing air security for the World Cup, delivering the majority of operations. 皇冠体育app UK鈥檚 contribution will add expertise and capability, in part gained聽 through the UK鈥檚 Olympic experience in 2012. It is a demonstration of our strong defence relationship, and further enhances the UK and Qatar鈥檚 ability to tackle our shared security challenges 鈥揷ontributing to regional stability and protecting mutual prosperity and security.