The new squadron will deliver training to British and Qatari pilots.
Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace MP and the Qatari Minister of State for Defence, His Excellency Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, have unveiled a new Joint Hawk Training Squadron at RAF Leeming in Yorkshire.
According to a Ministry of Defence news release:
“This new Joint Squadron builds on years of close partnership between the Royal Air Force and the Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF). The Squadron will deliver advanced and high-speed jet training to QEAF and RAF pilots in the new Hawks. This will greatly enhance the capabilities of the two Air Forces and improve their ability to operate together. The Defence Secretary and His Excellency Dr Khalid, a trained fast-jet pilot, travelled to RAF Leeming to see the rollout of BAE Systems’ new Hawk Mk167 jet.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
“The UK’s defence relationship with Qatar is strong and enduring and it has been a great pleasure to welcome His Excellency Dr Khalid to RAF Leeming.
The new Joint Hawk Squadron not only delivers greater prosperity for British industry, it will also allow our Armed Forces to build stronger relationships and create opportunities for further engagement with our Gulf partners in the future.”
The MoD add that the new Joint Hawk Training Squadron “builds on the great success of the UK-Qatar Joint Typhoon Squadron based at RAF Coningsby”.
Qatar has ordered nine Hawk Mk167 aircraft, which are manufactured in Lancashire by BAE Systems. This is part of a £6 billion package which also includes 24 Typhoons and bespoke training.
I think it a shame that the UK Government is not ordering a T3 Hawk to replace RAF T1 Hawk. BAE showed off a prototype advanced Hawk they were trying to sell to India. It could use smart weapons such as Paveway IV, Asraam, Brimstone, It had an advanced wing for higher alpha & the cockpit could be set up to be a lead in for F-35 training.
Royal Air force have the T2 to train future Typhoon and F35 pilots
Airbus Spain is proposing a new fifth/sixth gen jet trainer to fulfill a requirement for the Spanish government which might be worth trying to get involved in, other than that the only show in town at the moment is american or Czech.
A T3 Hawk set up as an F-35 lead in trainer, would be more economical than many of the advanced jet trainers with double the thrust & therefore higher costs.
I expect the Qatari’s are paying handsomely for the privilege too.
Joint? Reports say it is 11 Sqn QEAF.
11 Sqn RAF is a Coningsby Typhoon squadron. Would we host a wholly QEAF squadron here ?
Indeed.
commanding officer will be RAF, deputy will be QEAF