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Workers at the BAE Systems plant build the Typhoon
Workers at BAE Systems’ plant. Delivery to Qatar is expected to begin in 2022. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian
Workers at BAE Systems’ plant. Delivery to Qatar is expected to begin in 2022. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

BAE Systems announces £5bn deal to supply Typhoon jets to Qatar

This article is more than 6 years old

Deal will help secure thousands of jobs at Warton in Lancashire and includes support and training for Qatari air force

BAE Systems has announced a £5bn contract to supply Typhoon aircraft to the Qatari air force.

The deal, which will help secure UK jobs, includes a support and training package. The contract is subject to financing conditions and is expected to be fulfilled no later than mid 2018.

It provides for 24 Typhoon aircraft, with delivery expected to commence in late 2022. About 5,000 people in Britain are employed to build the Typhoon, mainly at Warton in Lancashire.

Charles Woodburn, BAE’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to begin a new chapter in the development of a long-term relationship with the state of Qatar and the Qatar armed forces, and we look forward to working alongside our customer as they continue to develop their military capability.

“This agreement is a strong endorsement of Typhoon’s leading capabilities and underlines BAE Systems’ long track record of working in successful partnership with our customers.”

Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary, who oversaw the signing of the deal with his Qatari counterpart, Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah, said: “The contract will secure work on the production line at Warton into the next decade.”

He also agreed a package of training and cooperation between the air forces under which they will work together more regularly, including Qatari pilots and ground crew receiving training in the UK.

Qatar is the ninth country to buy the Typhoon, with the first aircraft delivered to Oman this year.

A spokesman for the Unite union said: “The government should follow this news up by signalling its intention to protect highly skilled UK manufacturing jobs by bringing forward an order to replace the Red Arrows’ ageing fleet of Hawk jet, as well as backing the advanced Hawk, which is under development.”

More on this story

More on this story

  • Arms maker BAE Systems makes record profit amid Ukraine and Israel-Gaza wars

  • BAE agrees to buy space technology firm Ball Aerospace for $5.6bn

  • BAE investigating alleged sabotage of next-generation Royal Navy warship

  • Job losses are a way of life in Warton, home to BAE Systems

  • BAE Systems to cut nearly 2,000 UK jobs

  • BAE Systems 'planning 1,000 job cuts'

  • BAE chairman to peace activists: 'weapons sales encourage peace'

  • BAE Systems posts healthy annual results despite delay in Saudi orders

  • Who is Charles Woodburn, the man set to take the helm at BAE Systems?

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