Qatar Inks $8bn Deal to Buy 24 Typhoon Fighters from UK
Local Editor
Qatar signed a multi-billion-dollar deal on Sunday to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from Britain, its second major military agreement this week, which comes during the worst regional political crisis in years.
The $8bn deal was completed in Doha by Qatar's Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah and his British counterpart, Gavin Williamson. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two countries for this Typhoon contract in September.
Williamson said it was the biggest order for Typhoons in a decade, and it follows a billion-dollar deal signed by Qatar on 7 December to buy 12 French Dassault Aviation warplanes.
For Britain, the deal is notable as it searches for major global contracts during negotiations for its withdrawal from the European Union.
"These formidable jets will boost the Qatari military's mission to tackle the challenges we both share in the Middle East, supporting stability in the region and delivering security at home," said the British minister.
The deal also includes an intention for Qatar to buy further military equipment from Britain, including the purchase of Hawk aircraft.
The deal is a major victory for BAE Systems, which produces the jets. It took less than 14 years for the firm and its European partners to deliver the first 500 Typhoon jets, but orders dwindled in recent years and the production rate at the firm's factory in Preston, England, reportedly slowed.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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