The UK has announced its commitment to helping Qatar “deliver a safe and secure FIFA World Cup 2022”.
The announcement coincides with this week’s visit by the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani to the UK, where he met with the Prime Minister, you can read the press release here.
“The 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.
The 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 co-insides with a pre-planned deployment.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace MP was quoted as saying:
“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.”
You can read more on this here.
Nothing could be further up the priority list. 😅
If England play Scotland, they’d better bring the Brimstones.
So, who’s paying for Typhoons to police a kickabout , the international gambling syndicates perhaps?
As it’s the joint squadron it would be natural that the Qataris would want it in Qatar for such an event.
Yeah it makes sense being a joint squadron. I’m guessing it’s a training on typhoon squadron for the new pilots after going through the hawk training. Anyone working for Qatar airforce has a great choice of aircraft to work with. Latest F15, typhoon and rafale. Most airforces must be salivating at the kit and wanting exchange programs. I wish them well hosting the World Cup and hope it’s a success. While I may disagree with how they won the World Cup we are where we are. The U.K. experience of hosting large events should be helpful. I wonder if Qatar… Read more »
As long as it’s not those who organised Wembley last year. As for their choice of Aircraft I bet Ukraine are looking on in envy that’s for sure.
The Qataris will pay for our support. It’s been done before.
Probably come under ‘on duty training’ for the justification of the cost.
Hoping we provide Merlin in case Russia bring on a sub
Joke of the week😂😂😂
Co-insides cf coincides.
Are the French providing the command and control😀
No, but they have supplied all the flags for the tournament using wash out colours….
I thought the Typhoons were deployed to protect fans from the French.
Better we gave air cover to Ukraine. Doesn’t Qatar have its own fighters, surely?
Probably the worst ever place for a World Cup, already caused the lives of many construction workers.
But FIFA has to take whatever bungs it can get I suppose.
Not a great idea, will be lucky to see the World Cup as Russia would most likely see it as a declaration of war. As has been explained before to do an air policing mission you have to take out the enemy’s air defence system and ability to launch aircraft. As these are in Belarus and Russia that means striking the mother land.
Russia has stated its procedures for using tactical nukes are only if Russian soil is attacked or the government is threatened.
I don’t see typhoons flying over the Donbas taking out attack choppers, su25,27s,34,35, mig 29 etc.
Why do you think the Quataris are so keen to sell us gas?
Right now we need gas.
Quatrain has loads of gas.
Solution to two problems using existing resources.
Why do you think Syria turned to a total disaster? Ah yes was a gas line going to run from the ME straight into Europe, funnily enough Putin didnt like that idea at all.
I don’t disagree. It is also about getting the British OK to gas sales flowing COP(out)21. Britain shows ‘leadership’ by strangling itself. Things like zero rated VAT on solar panels should have been done ages ago. It all helps shift the dial. If we had been installing domestic solar at present rates for the last 10 years, as we were before that, there would be a lot of off grid house and a lot of surplus electricity going back into the grid. Gas is then used to fill in the dips as it is relatively easy to turn up or… Read more »
Renewables are definitely part of the future energy. Scotland has had wind making the whole load some days and this can only get better with more projects coming online. As the U.K. gets extra capacity, pumped storage, battery will become more important to store it for when it’s needed. Gas still has a big part to play but reducing our needs can only improve the situations.
There is much more support could be given for insulation, small scale generation.
Sorry about going OT there.
Yup, insulation would cut overall domestic consumption by about 20% alone. 10 yr project. An amazing number of houses don’t have properly insulated lofts or double glazing.
Micro hydro is an area that has received scant attention. Won’t ever be a big % but should be exploited.
Are there any locations that have pumped storage potential that haven’t been exploited already? The greens generally oppose new pumped storage.
Even if the whole of Britain is covered with Photovoltaics, Photovoltaics cannot produce Britain’s total electricity consumption. Photovoltaics, wind electricity are rotten jokes. The conclusion drawn from countless eco-energy failures is that, in the end, only nuclear power plants are the most eco-friendly and capable of meeting manpower demand.
Unfortunately the antiquated grid cannot accommodate the amount of feed in connections or the local fluctuation in feed in currents as clouds pass over or the wind picks up/drops etc. A “smart grid” has been talked about for a long time now but no-one in government wants to commit anything other than words, knowing the consumers will end up picking up the tab through the standing charge which logic says should make up an ever increasing component of the bill for those who take up microgeneration. There is also the issue of qualified bods on the ground to do all… Read more »
As a developer/contractor building close to zero heating requirement homes is not that hard. It is also not hard to use solar and solar thermal to offset most of what you need in a house. There really is little excuse for taking most of these homes off the grid. With good insulation and solar panels used to drive a/c as air -> air heat pumps gas usage is a 20% of what it was. In repose to Mr Nonsense above I don’t think covering the country in PV is the answer. However, it can make a worthwhile dent in needs.… Read more »
Well I live in a flat with a flat roof above a shop. I have investigated and there is nothing available to benefit me in term of grants for insulation which I am having to finance myself piecemeal. There are many thousands in similar positions and the fact is it’s easier to get an insulation grant for a half mill plus house in Surbiton than those who live in far less salubrious circumstances. There needs to be some lateral thinking here.
Totally agree. I stay in a house with draughty windows, doors and no wall insulation. Can’t afford to upgrade it so stuck with mould and big energy bills. A grant would be nice. How much is tax on energy? I paid 5 grand in last few years. If my bills were halved I would still spend the money for tax take else where. I don’t offshore 😂😂😂
Bad enough the World Cup being in Qatar, the timing is bang in the middle of the Fantasy Premier League football season!
‘bang’ ?
What’s the likelihood of other assets being deployed to Qatar. Not sure we will another Sky Sabre system available, but if it was I’m sure it would be on the cards. Similarly, will we see a T23 and T45 sailing off the coast?
If the Houtis lob a few MRBMs at Qatar, life over there could get interesting.
If they are concerned about air security then the guessing would be a T45 based off the coast. Probably also mine sweeping ships.
https://www.forces.net/world/raf-and-royal-navy-support-security-fifa-world-cup-2022
But Russia’s not there! Bet the real reason for the war (oops, SMO) is to stop Ukraine qualifying. Possibly.
Ukraine have match with Scotland soon. That maybe the time ukraine doesn’t have my support
Understandable, if only temporary. Plenty within the UK support Scotland if they’re not playing England.
I dont. I do what the Scots do to us with their “Anyone but England ” supporting preference
I have an “Anyone but Scotland” supporting preference.
I am minority part Scottish but virtually never could I support them, it was bad enough the Man City fans bringing down the crossbars last week what with it bringing pack painful memories of Scots fans doing that to Wembley all those years ago.
Don’t get sad. The match was over and it’s not ever fan just a small number. Lucky they left the pitch and seating in place.
It’s a massive deal and excitement when a small country beats a bigger one especially England. Imagine beating your big brother at something for the first time as a child. Delightful. If your English by all means support the other team Scotland are playing. Friendly rivalry is ok.
no they dont
Again the unequivocal fount of all knowledge, grizz.
Yes they do 😂😂😂😂
Sorry, Ms. All these ‘Yes they don’t, no they do’, or whatevers. No idea where we are. Either way, I think they do – or maybe don’t. 😎
Yeah. Maybe/maybe not. What are we talking about 😂😂😂😂👍🏻
To put this in context… Over 6,500 migrant workers have died during construction of the World Cup facilities. The vast majority have died of heat exhaustion which is officially classified as ‘natural cause’. That’s about half the number of Russian soldiers who have died in the invasion of Ukraine.
Interesting, I assume those facts are accredited?
It doesn’t surprise me, the whole Gulf region use migraint workers, they really don’t give a toss about them and see them simply as a cheap, easily replaceable and disposable asset.
If that is correct, then it should be boycotted, it of course won’t be, because everything is swept under the carpet and ignored when it comes to football.
I believe the number is an estimate for all migrant workers in the country who have died since work started on the World Cup:
“the figure for 6,500 deaths covers the 10-year period since Qatar was awarded the Word Cup”
Daily Mail:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10321749/amp/World-Cup-Qatar-BLOOD-STAINED-dead-migrant-workers-haunt-tournament-warns-lawyer.html
Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/23/revealed-migrant-worker-deaths-qatar-fifa-world-cup-2022
Like Russia views it soldiers?
Absolutely, the Russian Army could probably just offer a minimum wage to young men from Bangladesh on a one year enlistment and they would have all the disposable soldiers they could want!
Poor old bangladesh is so dirt poor and its people are virtually slave labour in some countries, so desperate are they to earn some money to send home.
For that matter, what’s to stop the Russians pitching up in Nepal and enlisting young men into the Russian Gurkha Rifles!
Sounds like Organisation Todt.
Do you have a source to the figures for the deaths?
It’s been in the press. (I posted the links to these two articles, but the comment is in moderation…)
Guardian (paste article title into Google):
Revealed: 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since World Cup awarded
Daily Mail (paste the title into Google):
The World Cup is BLOOD-STAINED and if Qatar and FIFA don’t account for the deaths of THOUSANDS of migrant workers
TM wrote:
That’s an extrapolation of the facts by the Guardian in which to generate a sensational headline, whislt they reported that 6500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since it won the right to host the World cup in 2010 (12 years ago) the actual figure of deaths of people working on the World Cup facilities is 37
It is misleading. (I posed another comment to clarify, but it hasn’t gone live). The number includes ALL migrant workers deaths in the last ten years. I suppose a more relevant number would be deaths per 1000 compared to the UK or the rest of the Qatari population. After all, there are a lot of migrant workers in Qatar.
When i lived in Italy during the expo in milan there were a number of deaths in the middle eastern stands, can’t remember which, but as they were counted as embassy lands the italian police were not allowed to investigate and they attempted to keep it quiet by removing the bodies by night, but got caught doing it.
There are about two million migrant workers, but there isn’t a similar demographic to the UK so you can’t just compare proportions. Most are young to middle aged, no babies and old folk. Also will you be comparing people dying from heat in Qatar compared with the UK?
Yes, even if the stats are right, there are many contributing factors. It quickly gets into PhD thesis territory.
The report i read the other week into the truths about Migrant work deaths, so it stated only one worker had died during any construction phase on a actual site. there were many claims on the heat exhaustion which don’t get recorded, another 250 had died when a boat they were traveling on sank on route. 55 had died in a coach crash, and many have died in road accidents. but they all get included within the charities stating these workers have rights and need better working conditions. same charities that suck Millions out of the same country. and during… Read more »
Please explain who are these UK jets protecting Qatar from?
Qatar is on good terms with the terror entity of Tehran so who does that leave…ISIS perhaps but no need for jets and the Qataris have enough manpower and weaponry anyway, even money to pay for mercenries.
Any nutter who wants to kill innocents by using some kind of flying machine. An event like this can’t be hosted with defence assets in place even if no threat was to be seen. It’s a joint squadron (perhaps the only Qatari typhoon squadron up and running). They will want to show of the recent purchases. Perhaps a fly past of F15, typhoons and rafale and the other aircraft they have. Should be a good sight. My interest is in how they plan to operate the 3 fighter types together to make the most of each asset. Each has there… Read more »
Absolutely crazy operating three different twin engined, multi roll fighters to do the same job
Their logistics must be an absolute nightmare!
What part of joint RAF/Qatar squadron do you not f follow? Or do you just want to rant!
Qatar may not be on good terms with the rest of Iran.
The go to weapon in the middle east at the minute is drones.
Qatar having enough manpower and equipment is like saying Saudi does, great on paper in reality absolutely useless. Need contractors in to use the equipment as the manpower has no interest in actually using it.
The Quataris sell us about 3/4 of our LNG, the rest is from Texas. UK storage for gas is about 4 days worth in the winter. From October to April there are usually 2 LNG tankers transiting the Persian Gulf every ten days or so, some of which is re-exported.
The RN has had a presence in the Gulf for decades to protect our gas and other hydrocarbon cargoes. There may be more to this Typhoon deployment than meets the eye.
Spot on
We need gas to flow as we stupidly stopped producing enough gas and shut our main storage facility.
1 kg of human poo gives approx 50 litres of methane. Your literally sitting of a mountain of gas….. Ramp up those high protein diets and let that brown gold flow
Let’s assume you can manage 500 grams of excrement a day (although politicians seem to manage far more). 25 litres of methane gives about 250 W hr. So it would let you run the gaseous equivalent of a 2 KW fire for 12.5 minutes a day, assuming no conversion losses.
I’m not sure political verbal diarrhea will keep our houses warm Jon…
In the UK we would rather poison our rivers with second hand curry, than figure out a way of converting it into usable energy…
Why don’t we all stick a hose up our bums and collect farts in a tank. Then we can use fart power as well as poop. 😂😂😂
50 litres of methane from a turd? Are u sure that’s right. Surprised my toilet hasn’t exploded out the roof and sewer manholes blowing up all over the place.
Now it makes sense David, the Qataris (and their lovely, lovely, natural gas) are one of our closest allies and we proud to help protect them and their wonderful Gas….
Did I mention the Gas…
I think you mentioned it once…but you got away with it…
We really know how to stretch our selfs
Where else for a joint squadron to more logically deploy to?
Probably what swung it, is he Qataris will pay for it, use some of the “joint” airframes and the RAF pilots get some hours out of it. As for the world cup being played there, total garbage, and shows how corrupt the FA and International football is. Even though I don’t agree with them holding the world cup (for the obvious bent reason they were given it) all major sporting and National events nowadays do need some overwatch/air policing to be in place.
I bet the RAF pilots have started googling ‘5* hotels in Qatar’!
Isnt exactly alot of hotels in the country, and im sure the VIP’s will take a priority over RAF pilots!
I would suspect that the QAF Officers Mess have a pretty high * rating.
Recently, two Greek tankers from Iran’s Guard Corps were seized.
Eurofighter and Royal Navy demonstrations in the Persian Gulf will aid Britain’s position in the Persian Gulf.
I hope the Eurofighter will lead to exports😅
Those two tankers were seized as a direct response by the Iranians to their tanker being seized in Greece and the US impounding the cargo for sale back in the US. Much like they seized a group of Iranian tankers on their way to Venezuela a few years ago and sold their cargo.
All down to Iran’s crude exports.
JIMK wrote:
Actually the vessel was Russian and was released soon after.
“”The vessel was temporarily seized by Greek authorities on April 15 when it anchored off the port of Karystos on Evia. At the time, it was flying a Russian flag and was carrying a crew of 19 Russians.
The Greek Coast Guard said it was seized due to suspicions it had breached EU sanctions imposed against Russia due to the war in Ukraine.””
May 27, 2022The United States has confiscated Iranian oil held on a Russian-operated ship near the Greek island of Evia in the Aegean Sea, according to news reports quoting Greek sources. Following a “judicial intervention by U.S. authorities concerning the ship’s cargo,” the process is currently under way for the oil “to be handed over” at U.S. government expense, an unidentified official quoted on May 26 by the AP news agency said. The vessel was temporarily seized by Greek authorities on April 15 when it anchored off the port of Karystos on Evia. At the time, it was flying a… Read more »
First post on Greek seizure, this second post on Iran’s.
IRGC forces swoop on ships in what appeared to be a reprisal for Greece’s role in earlier seizure of Iranian oil tanker
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/27/iran-seizes-two-greek-tankers-amid-rising-tensions-in-the-gulf
I wonder if the English FA will get extra ticket allocations for this ‘assistance’? Can I have one please… 🙃
Wouldn’t it be a lot cheaper to simple lock it in a cabinet and hire some blokes to look after it.
There’s a lot more to this than just football Qatar is a bed fellow of Iran, its why a few years ago it was side-lined by the rest of the Gulf nations. (Nations I should add the US under Obama ostracised) Qatar then decided to spend a load of money purchasing political favours from the: US France Uk China All 4 nations just happen to be permanent members of the UN Security Council. (Which kind of explains why an Island state with population of 2.9 million has just purchased 36 Rafale 36 F15E 24 Typhoons That’s almost as many fighter… Read more »
As you imply, there is a huge amount of money involved and the bankers know which side their bread is buttered. Blind in one eye.
Given their NG no-one is going to want to upset the Qataris, especially us.
Why would Russia not want to upset the Qataris?
Why mention Russia, they have nothing to do with it?
Im sorry Johnski. I thought you were a Putinbot sat in the Kremlin basement typing away on a Letvischkezovoskinovik laptop. With your “handler” stood behind you telling you what to type.
Be careful, one error and youll be sent to Siberia for re-education or find Novichok on your door handle or Polonium in your tea.
Thats why Russia was mentioned. Because you are in Russia.
Care to comment on your illegal, murderous, looting, raping campaign of terror in Ukraine?
He’s not Russian🙈
He’s said he’s in England, has been part of the British army and has been in or worked with German army is what I remember from posts.
I don’t get the big deal of Qatar being friends with Iran. They are close neighbours and share religious similarities and have a trading history.
Iran was the wests best mate until 1979. Hopefully soon they can all just start getting along. Iran is a large country with a young population controlled by some old men mainly. Iran could be the solution to the wests oil/gas issues but that’s not likely to happen.
Apart from anything else they jointly operate the largest NG field yet found so have a very big shared commercial interest..
Its not jointly operated just crosses both territories. Its in Qatars interest to pump as much gas out of the field as quickly as possible.
The side-lining was also down to Qatari support for the Muslim Brotherhood, this had a few gulf states a bit nervous as the MB is supposed to be a credible alternative to the current autocracies. Some what debatable replacing a autocracy with a theocracy is actually any better or may even be worse.
So just how much are the Qatari paying us for the use of our defence budget. Id hope all costs covered a handsome reimbursement bonus on top but reality is we are probably doing this for free. On the off chance they might order more British made arnaments.
Do you know who pays for the joint squadron? Is it raf jets or Qatari? Qatar will be providing the basing in Qatar also.
I suppose highlighting it should never have been awarded to Qatar in the first place is moot? A decision showing corruption in FIFA at the highest levels.
And UEFA judging by the excuses they are coming out with after the shambles in Paris.
That was a crazy situation. British government have been strangely silent on the fact that British football fans went to Paris and the French police decided it was ok to tear gas and baton charge them. When in reality it was local French youths that climbed over the gates and forced there way into the stadium.
Really crap policing of a major sporting event. No doubt it will all be blamed on Liverpool fans when the French need to take a long hard look at themselves.
You will be waiting a long time for that self realisation with the French
We still will have f%#k all chance of wining, not even Typhoon can change that.
Who do you think is looking favourites? I haven’t paid much attention
Semifinals of the World Cup in 2018 only to be beaten by a dirty Croatian team. Finals of the Euros in 2021 only to be beaten by a dirty Italian team. Southgate and Co. cannot be surprised the next time they reach this stage to see a team throw everything including the kitchen sink at them. As long as the heat doesn’t get to them and Kieran Trippier is in the lineup (even out of position at left back), I like England’s chances.
Beaten twice by the better team….England were found wanting tactically in both games.
I have little regard for Southgate tbh but maybe it will it be 3rd time lucky …who knows.
However I apologise as I digress -this is not a footie forum..
Chiellini vs Saka was a red card he had a clear path to goal. Sorry I couldn’t help myself.
Heat gets to me. Even walking to the shops in over 30c is a mission. Really hope teams go a few weeks early to acclimatise. From my memory, first week in Spain I’d be sweating like a (let’s leave that part out) 2nd week not so much