Training: Qatar play at home with latest Typhoons

The joint UK-Qatari Typhoon Squadron is continuing to work up, participating in a series of exercises. The Joint Squadron was planned to operate for a period of three years, the last six months of which will be spent in Qatar.

Here the Joint Squadron will help provide security for the FIFA World Cup and will support the stand-up and entry into service of the first QEAF Typhoon squadron – not least through the transfer of its by then highly experienced Typhoon air and groundcrew! The rump of No.12 Squadron will then return to the UK where it will continue to operate as part of the UK’s Typhoon force, with full RAF manning.

In December 2020, No.12 Squadron deployed to Doha for the first time as a joint unit, and operated alongside the Rafales and Mirage 2000-5s of the Qatar Emiri Air Force during Exercise Joint Skies IV. The squadron flew in both the air-to-air and air-to-surface roles, and integrated with Qatari Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on the ground.

Following the squadron’s participation in Exercise Magic Carpet in Oman, the unit deployed to Doha in December for Exercise Fox Defender. Exercise Fox Defender enabled the Qatar Emiri Air Force to train in their home nation and supported the Qatar Emiri Air Force’s developing operational capability ahead of receiving their Typhoon aircraft in 2022. An RAF Voyager deployment supported the second phase of the exercise as part of Exercise Soaring Falcon. The Voyager will conduct air to air refuelling sorties with both No.12 Squadron and the remainder of the Qatar Emiri Air Force's fast jet fleet.