Joint UK-Qatari Typhoon squadron to be RAF only from 2023

The joint UK and Qatari Eurofighter Typhoon squadron is set to become a Royal Air Force (RAF) only unit from 2023, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed to Janes .

The current joint UK-Qatari 12 Squadron unit will part ways in 2023, with the RAF continuing to operate the unit as a fully manned element of the UK’s Typhoon force while the QEAF stands-up its own in-country units. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

Currently located at Coningsby in Lincolnshire, 12 Squadron will become a primary RAF unit (Serial 1) when the UK element returns to its homebase after a planned detachment to Dohar in 2022 to help provide security for the FIFA World Cup. At this time, the Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) will stand up its own in-country Eurofighter squadron(s).

“The Joint Squadron will operate for a period of three years, the last six months of which will be spent in Qatar. It will undertake deployed exercises as part of the RAF’s annual Air Exercise Programme, which includes Exercise ‘Epic Skies’ in Qatar, which has always been viewed as an opportunity to strengthen defence co-operation between our two nations. The squadron will also deploy to Qatar in late 2022 towards the end of [its] three-year lifetime. The objective of this six-month deployment will be to support the stand-up and entry into service of the first QEAF Typhoon squadron. After the three-year period, it is anticipated that 12 Squadron will return to the UK and continue to operate as part of the UK’s Typhoon force, with full RAF manning,” the MoD said on 8 September.