A deployment of the joint RAF-Qatari Typhoon squadron – 12 Squadron — has departed RAF Coningsby to support the Qatar Emiri Air Force with air security operations for the FIFA World Cup.

12 Squadron pilot, Squadron Leader Luke Wilkinson, was quoted as saying:

“It’s the absolute capstone of what we’re doing. It’s a great honour to be representing the RAF at a global event but also providing assurance and safe skies for the fans, for the participants and for the organisers of the World Cup in support of our colleagues. We’ve got a good pedigree in terms of major sporting events. I was working on the Olympic Games in London in 2012 and so we fully understand the demands of a layered defence at a global event.

Eurofighter brings height, speed and reach. These are the keys of air power as far as we’re concerned. We will be there as a constant presence and we’ll be able to react to an absolute multitude of threats very, very quickly. There’s nothing quite like the power that comes from the Typhoon in terms of thrust. It is an absolute dream to fly. Eurofighter is an ideal platform for air security. We proved that at the Olympics. But it is part of a layered defence — there’ll be other units from the UK Armed Forces supporting the Qatari armed forces with their defence and protection of the World Cup.”

12 Squadron was reactivated in 2017 and became a joint squadron in 2020 when the Qatari contingent arrived in the UK.

“As their Eurofighter jets were being built, their pilots and their technicians were being built too, to provide them with a day-one capability at Dukhan Main Operating Base in Qatar. It was run like a front-line squadron, with British and Qatari pilots learning from each other.”

You can read more on this here.

 

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Lisa has a degree in Media & Communication from Glasgow Caledonian University and works with industry news, sifting through press releases in addition to moderating website comments.
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farouk
farouk
1 year ago

So, currently the West is in something of a bind due to how the political elites have for the past 20 odd years prostrated themselves at the altar of Global warming sorry climate change and enacted vast changes which have come home to roost when Putin decided to start to restrict the flow of gas West. We are seeing something similar with how the same political elites target: Food production (looks at Holland) the idiots across the Uk who are demanding that we forgo Milk , Meat, Soya, anything from a country they object to. And now they target Qatar… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by farouk
Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

What hope is there when these people become adults with the same view? God help us.

John Stott
John Stott
1 year ago

God won’t. A few baton rounds and CS would. And some politicians with balls.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  John Stott

😂😁. This site is my last non-politically correct refuge; please don’t let “them” ever take over!

John Stott
John Stott
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

Deo Vindice 😎

Cj
Cj
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

👏👏

Python15
Python15
1 year ago
Reply to  John Stott

Claps heartily in agreement 😁

Cj
Cj
1 year ago
Reply to  John Stott

😂👍

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago

They won’t, they all become hedge fund managers and plot becoming Tory Prime Ministers. Bit like how idealistic students in the 50s were recruited to become useful idiots for one of the most oppressive and murderous regimes in human history.

Steve R
Steve R
1 year ago

Very few will keep those same views when they grow up and see how the world really is.

It’s just foolish naivety. 99% will grow out of it.

Tomartyr
Tomartyr
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

If the two parties would sincerely address climate change the issue would cease to be the exclusive territory of extremists.

farouk
farouk
1 year ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

T wrote: “”If the two parties would sincerely address climate change the issue would cease to be the exclusive territory of extremists.”” 1) The Uk has made the biggest cuts in CO2 across Europe 2) The Uk (like EU countries) signed up to the Paris Climate Accords in 2016, which set 5 year targets, targets the UK has met. until 2030 where they have to achieve 55% cuts in CO2 as per 1990 levels 3)The UK government set in law (April 21) the world’s most ambitious climate change target, cutting emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels 4)… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by farouk
Tomartyr
Tomartyr
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

Those targets are being met with figures fabricated with ‘carbon offset’ (I believe Certified Emission Reduction is the euphemism nowadays) and are therefore complete BS that just enables more pollution now with the all too familiar promise of jam tomorrow.

Last edited 1 year ago by Tomartyr
Ian
Ian
1 year ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

What is particularly ridiculous about it all is that we only meet these targets by virtue of having outsourced much of our industry to places that don’t- and won’t anytime soon- rendering the whole concept of a national target pointless.

McZ
McZ
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

The Scandinavian countries already are climate-neutral, so, to be more precise, the UK has done the largest reductions of the large countries, and has a clear and affordable path to climate neutral. It’s installed wind power is currently underused (18% vs 32% in Denmark), because energy providers prefer more dependable, ie their own sources. Hence, energy buffer storage and legislation is required, which at this point would already help us over the 100% electricity mark. EU? Spain and Italy are basically doing nothing, France lives off its NPPs, which have to be replaced in the next 20 years, only to… Read more »

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  McZ

The Scandinavian countries are no where near neutral and all bar Sweden have higher per capita emissions than the UK.

Tomartyr
Tomartyr
1 year ago
Reply to  McZ

‘Carbon neutral’ is a myth, weather systems are being disrupted regardless of how many trees we promise to plant/not cut down at some point.

‘Carbon credits’ only allow oil companies to continue releasing the carbon trapped in oil and gas with the promise that it can all be compensated for by converting fertile farmland into carbon traps, but the more oil we extract from underground the more surface ground needs to be used to compensate.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

You really should be a politician. Bravo.

John Stott
John Stott
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

What an eminently sensible piece of writing. I remember a pre middle east deployment “lecture” many moons ago about alcohol. It dawned on me as a youngster then, that if you go to another country you respect their faith, society and “ways”. If not you have no leg to stand on if you break their laws/customs. The mouthy know all wokery crowd are just about as stupid as stupid gets imho. Tatchell was lucky he did not end up in a Qatari cell yesterday. Then these are the warmist/green/lefty brigade who know best eh? The types who would be happy… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
1 year ago
Reply to  John Stott

Bravo, John.

John Stott
John Stott
1 year ago

Thank you 😉

David M
David M
1 year ago
Reply to  John Stott

Let’s be clear, Peter Tatchell’s protest in Qatar was in relation to Qatar’s stance on LGBT+ and not “warmist/green/lefty.” As Peter suggests, Qatar arrests, jails and subjects LGBTs to ‘conversion’ therapies. Yes, he was lucky not to be thrown into jail but on the cusp of the Football World Cup it would be bad press for Qatar had that happened. What should not have happened in the first place is that Qatar was awarded in the World Cup in the first place given its stance on LGBT. But what has happened is that respect should be shown to a nation… Read more »

Jonny
Jonny
1 year ago
Reply to  David M

Exactly, the issue isn’t conforming to a country’s culture, but the fact that a country with that culture which goes against pretty much every Western value bribed themselves into being the host.

John Stott
John Stott
1 year ago
Reply to  David M

Go study Tatchell’s history. He is a grandstanding extremist. As for how another country “treats” its citizens? That is their business. A bleeding heart is all well and good. It makes no difference. So you do not agree, fine, water off a duck’s back matey.

Tomartyr
Tomartyr
1 year ago
Reply to  David M

“Peter Tatchell’s protest in Qatar was in relation to Qatar’s stance on LGBT+ and not “warmist/green/lefty.””

That’s all just ‘leftist wokery’ to this crowd.

John Stott
John Stott
1 year ago
Reply to  Tomartyr

😘

Something Different
Something Different
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

A gentle reminder that this site has visitors with a variety of views. Many believe LGBT rights are important, climate change is human made and real and the UK has a balancing act regarding principles versus the (short term) national interest.

Esteban
Esteban
1 year ago

A enormous European land war. And the UK decides to send some of its already overstretched Air Force as air cover to the goddamn soccer games. At some point it is really hard to take this seriously.

RobW
RobW
1 year ago
Reply to  Esteban

You do like having a go at the UK and our armed services don’t you.

We actually deploy and use our resources, unlike most. In the unlikely event that we became directly involved in a conflict, we’d bring them back.

Esteban
Esteban
1 year ago
Reply to  RobW

What are you babbling on about.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Esteban

Likewise!

Esteban
Esteban
1 year ago
Reply to  RobW

Yeah deploying your Air Force to cover the world cup that is top-notch right there. Good God what an embarrassment..

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Esteban

What’s an embarrassment? Your chip on your shoulder, yes agreed! At least you admit it!

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Airborne

Plus, the UK is being paid for it.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  Esteban

Yeah but the damn Russians would have to contend with the whole of NATO if they do anything. Which by current performance would be an absolute one side slaughtering. Russias army airforce and navy would last about 7 days max against a concerted NATO military effort

Esteban
Esteban
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

And the UK would have to rely on everyone else to do that.. Good lord man. NATO is hollow as a log. Other than a few members. Carry your own goddamn weight.

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Esteban

And your weight is no doubt well above average!

Darren hall
Darren hall
1 year ago
Reply to  Esteban

I agree, the RAF deployment to Qatar, on the surface looks stupid… (It’s only Football after all) But 12 Sqn is joint Qatari/British staffed. The agreement between the RAF and RQAF states that 12Sqn will/can be used by either nation to defend national interests when needed. The World Cup in in Qatar, therefor a Qatari interest. Also, look a little deeper at the region and what do you see? Iran, not looking too stable… How long before the Republican Guard start using force? Yemen? Also, 12Sqn will be now by away from their home base if that major European war… Read more »

Airborne
Airborne
1 year ago
Reply to  Esteban

Yaaaaaaawn

Tomartyr
Tomartyr
1 year ago

I second that

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

I agree with most of that, but the global elite have been the ones who have tied us to dependence on gas and oil and still making bundles on it today, Truss reportedly was in their pocket with links to a number of companies and individuals involved in producing or promoting the old fuels. Had we had the sense to commit to green energies sooner when all the short sighted idiots were frothing at the mouth at it being too expensive, ( and had we maintained a basic level of Nuclear power replacement till alternatives were possible) we would not… Read more »

ArmyBrat90s
ArmyBrat90s
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

I have to say, reading you comment is like reading a pro Putin, Russian sympathetic online article. The damage humans are doing to this planet will probably make our species extinct within the next couple of hundred years. There is a high possibility that you, I and everyone we know will starve to death rather then die of old age. If our successive governments had pulled their heads out of their arses over the last thirty years, the UK would be completely self sufficient in terms of energy, by now. The black lives matter comment, and the reference to “alphabet… Read more »

dan
dan
1 year ago

Crazy that Qatar doesn’t have the capability to do this themselves. ugh

Last edited 1 year ago by dan
RobW
RobW
1 year ago
Reply to  dan

They are still working up their capability. They have plenty of aircraft on order, F15E and Typhoons, plus of course the 36 Rafales they already have. Once they have all the aircraft delivered and the pilots trained, their air force will be very respectable. In the meantime, the RAF gets to help out and showcase the Typhoon.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  RobW

If they already have 36 Rafale why the heck do they need RAF typhoons?

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

The bribe every powerful country they can for protection and spread it around.

Arson Fire
Arson Fire
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

Err. More like horse trading fossil fuels for modern military equipment and alliances to raise their profile on the world stage.

Arson Fire
Arson Fire
1 year ago
Reply to  dan

They do. This is a political gesture.

Bill
Bill
1 year ago

Sending the RAF to protect Quatar from Peter Tatchell , rather OOT doncha think? 🙂

Bill
Bill
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill

that will teach me to proof read before sending !!! Qatar and OTT.

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

So the RAF are being deployed in Qatar, to bolster their defence… and strengthen their midfield for the opening game against Ecuador 🙂

Coll
Coll
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

And sell a few more Eurofighters.

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago
Reply to  Coll

Qatar will have the most advanced Typhoons of any Nation. As their Typhoons has the AESA radar, Meteor and Block 6 ASRAAM amongst other things.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago

Type 45 deploying? Are Qatari government paying for these deployments?

DMJ
DMJ
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

As the squadron is a joint RAF/Qatar squadron then yes

AlexS
AlexS
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Strangely they asked for an Italian ship and anti drone stuff from them – Italy is not even in World Cup.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
1 year ago
Reply to  AlexS

That’s odd- hadn’t read that. I guess they are just trying their luck, see what free defence assets they can get loaned to them as a “goodwill gesture”.