Government financed deal to sell 33 military aircraft to Qatar takes off with first payment
A £5bn deal for Qatar to buy 33 military aircraft has been finalised today. after supplier BAE Systems received its first payment.
The aerospace company will make 24 Typhoons and 9 Hawk at its factories in Warton and Brough, as well as provide bespoke support and training for the vehicles.
The deal was funded by a £5bn package from UK Export Finance, a government run scheme which provides export finance and insurance to parties buying products and services from the UK. It is the largest deal the UKEF has ever supported.
It will give a boost to BAE Systems and its 35,000 employees, as well as the 9,000 companies in its supply chain.
Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said:
This monumental, multi-billion-pound deal is now officially in place, and those from across government and industry who have worked so hard on it together can be extremely proud to see it reach this stage.
It’s a massive boost to the British defence industry, helping to support thousands of jobs and it will help us further build the trust between the UK and Qatar to tackle the challenges we both share, support stability in the region and deliver security at home.
Qatar is the ninth country to have purchased a Typhoon, adding to the £6bn turnover created a year through the air combat sector. The deal with Qatar was signed in Doha in December.
BAE Systems boss Charles Woodburn added: "The proven combination of Typhoon and Hawk will provide the Qatari Armed Forces with the most advanced and flexible multi-role combat aircraft on the market today, along with best in class support and training."