The Gulf state of Qatar has announced plans to acquire 12 more Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from Britain, addressing concerns about potential workforce gaps in UK assembly operations. This commitment emerged following diplomatic talks between Qatar’s emir and Sir Keir Starmer, focusing on strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
The partnership extension, announced in a joint statement, will maintain collaboration between the Qatar Amiri Air Force and the Royal Air Force beyond 2030. This arrangement aims to enhance capabilities through joint training programmes and exercises for pilots from both countries.
While a formal contract remains unsigned, the news brings optimism to BAE Systems, Britain’s largest defence contractor. The company’s Warton facility in Lancashire, responsible for assembling Qatar’s aircraft, is scheduled to deliver the final two jets from a previous £5 billion order in early 2024.
Trade unions have expressed mounting concerns about the future of the final assembly line without new orders. The Typhoon project, a collaborative effort between BAE, Airbus and Leonardo, has seen the UK leading export negotiations with Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Union representatives are advocating for additional domestic orders from the British government to preserve crucial manufacturing skills. These capabilities are deemed essential for the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme, a next-generation fighter jet initiative involving the UK, Italy and Japan.
The potential Qatari order would secure approximately one year of production work at the Warton facility, providing vital continuity for the UK’s defence manufacturing sector. BAE Systems has historically managed workforce transitions through redeployment across various combat air programmes, maintaining operational flexibility during periods of changing demand.
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