The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed that discussions regarding the timeline for the signing and delivery of 12 additional Typhoon jets for Qatar remain ongoing.
The confirmation follows the Amir of Qatar’s State Visit to the UK, where the two nations reiterated their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation.
Responding to written questions from Mark Francois MP, Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle stated: “We will continue to hold discussions with Qatar on these issues, including prospective timelines, when appropriate.” Eagle also emphasised that the agreement aligns with broader objectives to deepen partnerships: “We have agreed to deepen cooperation in support of regional security while supporting growth and prosperity in both nations. This includes undertaking opportunities to strengthen our respective defence capabilities through broadening our cooperation on the Typhoon and Hawk partnerships.”
The proposed deal for the 12 additional Typhoon aircraft offers significant reassurance to the UK defence industry. Qatar’s commitment comes amid ongoing concerns over the workload at BAE Systems’ Warton facility in Lancashire, where the Typhoons are final-assembled.
The plant has faced uncertainty following a slowdown in orders, prompting calls from industry and unions for new contracts to sustain production.
Last month, Steve McGuinness, a member of the Unite trade union executive council, raised concerns over the facility’s future in a letter to the UK Parliament’s Defence Committee.
He urged the Government to secure additional Typhoon orders to maintain the workforce and production capabilities, warning of a potential shortfall in workload. Qatar’s plan to procure these additional jets, therefore, comes as a critical boost to the UK-led consortium and its supply chain, which includes BAE Systems, Airbus, Leonardo, and Spain’s Indra.
While Qatar has yet to place the official order, the commitment signals an extension of the existing defence partnership between the two nations. Beyond aircraft procurement, this partnership also encompasses joint training exercises, the graduation of Qatari and British pilots, and discussions on potential collaboration to develop a land platform.
Addressing concerns over the defence supply chain, Eagle assured: “Any potential impacts on the defence supply chain will be fully considered, alongside industry, as our discussions with Qatar evolve.”
One thing is for sure, any new Typhoon orders will not come from the RAF. No money, not enough pilots, and they would arrive too close to GCAP anyway.
Lets hope we can secure more orders from others to keep the production line going.
Hmmme
Well maybe if the 2035 date is stuck to and that is for IoC not FoC with maybe the first delivery to T&E? Even that would be very good going as it would beat Typhoon and F35’s gestation hands down.
I don’t think new Typhoon orders would take 10 years to produce.
But it does need to fit into the retooling and reskilling for GCAP.
In reality even if they delivered the first production GCAP to the RAF in 2035 ( and that’s a big if) there is a very long timeline before typhoon goes out of service. So
2035 test and evaluation squadron stand up
2037/8 OCU squadron stand up
2040 first front line squadron stand up
2050 last front line squadron stands up ( assuming the RAF can stand up one squadron every 2 years.
That means the for the RAF to maintain is pathetic number line fast squadrons it will still be needing around the following typhoon squadrons and numbers each year
2035 6 front line squadrons +OCU + Falklands flight ( 84 + around 20% = 104)
2040 5 front line squadrons + OCU + Falklands flight ( 72 + 20% = 86
2042 4 Front line + OCU + Falklands flight ( 60 +20% = 72)
2044 3 frontline + OCU + Falklands flight ( 48 + 20% = 58)
2046 2 frontline + OCU ( 30 + 20% =36)
2048 1 frontline squadron 12 + 20% = 13)
This means that the RAF will still need numbers of typhoon well into the late 2040s so a good 25 years away. Of the 106 typhoons remaining 67 are all tranche 2, which means they were built before 2012 and will be 32 + years old by 2044 the last year the tranche Twos would be needed and 40 tranche 3 that will be 21+ years old when last needed…as the typhoon fleet will be worked hard..there is a very good chance the RAF will have an airframe hours issue by 2040.
So the RAF could really do with a buy
Yes I imagine even if the 2035 target is met it would be a handful of aircraft, remember the 1st Typhoon was delivered in 2003 (1st operational squadron 2007) and last delivery around 2019! So we are probably talking 2040 for an operational tempest squadron at best