They are due to be the next Tornado squadron to disband in April.
Still an odd one from what is said below
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was in Doha last weekend, where he agreed a package of training and co-operation between the British and Qatari Air Forces which will see them working together more regularly as part of the multi-billion pound deal to supply the country with 24 Typhoon aircraft.
Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin expanded on that agreement at a State of Qatar National Day reception in London today. She revealed that a new UK-based Typhoon joint squadron will be called No. 12 squadron, and that it will temporarily integrate Qatari personnel, including pilots and ground-crew based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin said:
“Qatar proudly becomes the ninth nation to buy the world’s leading multi-role combat aircraft.
“The formation of a joint squadron means our RAF will take the lead in providing training and support to the Qatari Emiri Air Force as it brings the Typhoon into service.”
The Qataris will not be a permanent part of the squadron, but will be integrated ahead of the delivery of the Typhoon aircraft. The move will provide the country with valuable joint frontline experience on an RAF Typhoon Squadron and speed up their preparation for when their own jets are delivered.
The UK and Qatar already share a close defence relationship, with a joint-exercise between the Royal Air Force and Qatar Air force just last week seeing Typhoon aircraft fly over the Arabian Peninsula. Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin visited the country at the end of last month, where she met the pilots taking part in the exercise.
The two countries share mutual interests in countering violent extremism, and ensuring stability in the region, and this formation will further reinforce those ties by helping to prevent terrorism from spreading and protecting the prosperity and security of the UK at home. The new 12 squadron is currently operating Tornados, and will transition to the future Typhoon force.
The biggest export deal for the Typhoon project in a decade, valued at around £6 billion and sustaining thousands of UK jobs, Qatar is the ninth country to purchase the Typhoon. This year also saw the first delivered to Oman, whilst the MOD is leading the offer to replace Belgium’s F-16s with the jets and continues to discuss the prospect of a second batch of sales to Saudi Arabia, as it continues to bang the drum for Britain’s world-leading aerospace industry around the world.
So effectively a second OCU until the Qatari are ready, then what? Turn into one of the mythical air defence squadron? Very odd
They are due to be the next Tornado squadron to disband in April.
Still an odd one from what is said below
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was in Doha last weekend, where he agreed a package of training and co-operation between the British and Qatari Air Forces which will see them working together more regularly as part of the multi-billion pound deal to supply the country with 24 Typhoon aircraft.
Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin expanded on that agreement at a State of Qatar National Day reception in London today. She revealed that a new UK-based Typhoon joint squadron will be called No. 12 squadron, and that it will temporarily integrate Qatari personnel, including pilots and ground-crew based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin said:
“Qatar proudly becomes the ninth nation to buy the world’s leading multi-role combat aircraft.
“The formation of a joint squadron means our RAF will take the lead in providing training and support to the Qatari Emiri Air Force as it brings the Typhoon into service.”
The Qataris will not be a permanent part of the squadron, but will be integrated ahead of the delivery of the Typhoon aircraft. The move will provide the country with valuable joint frontline experience on an RAF Typhoon Squadron and speed up their preparation for when their own jets are delivered.
The UK and Qatar already share a close defence relationship, with a joint-exercise between the Royal Air Force and Qatar Air force just last week seeing Typhoon aircraft fly over the Arabian Peninsula. Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin visited the country at the end of last month, where she met the pilots taking part in the exercise.
The two countries share mutual interests in countering violent extremism, and ensuring stability in the region, and this formation will further reinforce those ties by helping to prevent terrorism from spreading and protecting the prosperity and security of the UK at home. The new 12 squadron is currently operating Tornados, and will transition to the future Typhoon force.
The biggest export deal for the Typhoon project in a decade, valued at around £6 billion and sustaining thousands of UK jobs, Qatar is the ninth country to purchase the Typhoon. This year also saw the first delivered to Oman, whilst the MOD is leading the offer to replace Belgium’s F-16s with the jets and continues to discuss the prospect of a second batch of sales to Saudi Arabia, as it continues to bang the drum for Britain’s world-leading aerospace industry around the world.
So effectively a second OCU until the Qatari are ready, then what? Turn into one of the mythical air defence squadron? Very odd
A lead in for Qatar whilst 12 sdn works to full operational capability at the same time. Many of the Typhoons squadrons, especially 29 have already supported the training of foreign Typhoon aircrew and continue to do so. I'd imagine with the proposed increase in Typhoon squadrons 29 will be to busy training enough pilots for our own use.
K213 wrote:Would be good to see 74 Sqn operational again - having brought the F4J back from the States in 1984 and subsequently operated the type on the Sqn.
Unlikely. I'm guessing 9 sdn will be in pole position if it does not become the 'possible' second F35 sdn. Failing that 19 sdn seems to be the number being batted around.
19(F) and 43(F) were the favourites for the air defence squadrons. The latter having the Scottish connection. Both standards are laid up though, not sure what it takes to reverse the process
IX(B) expected at a long term F-35 operator
12(B) were touted for a Protector squadron. With another numplate, thats all changed now with today's announcement
19(F) and 43(F) were the favourites for the air defence squadrons. The latter having the Scottish connection. Both standards are laid up though, not sure what it takes to reverse the process
IX(B) expected at a long term F-35 operator
12(B) were touted for a Protector squadron. With another numplate, thats all changed now with today's announcement
Any from 23, 56, 92 or 111 in addition to those already mentioned. 3 of those have all flown Lightnings, Phantoms and Tornadoes (56 as an OCU) so it would be continuing a long run of fighter types. Other options could be 5 (scheduled to disband when the Sentinals go in the early 2020s) and 31 at Marham which is currently considered 'unlikely' to reform as an F35 unit.
XX752 wrote:Unlikely. I'm guessing 9 sdn will be in pole position if it does not become the 'possible' second F35 sdn. Failing that 19 sdn seems to be the number being batted around.
Eh, 809 NAS is the second F-35 squadron with 207 Sqn as the OCU. This information has been out there a veeeerrrrrrry long time.
If 12 is now the first of the new Typhoon squadrons, then the second will likely be either 9 or 31.
Talking about 8 Sqn & the dual 8/23 markings on the E3D component, perhaps the new unit could be 9 Sqn on starboard side & 31 Sqn on the port. That way the RAF could utilise all the remaining laid-up Standards?
Stagger2 wrote:Talking about 8 Sqn & the dual 8/23 markings on the E3D component, perhaps the new unit could be 9 Sqn on starboard side & 31 Sqn on the port. That way the RAF could utilise all the remaining laid-up Standards?
Following the BBMF precedent? Or just a propaganda doubling of the size of the RAF? Might fool Daily Mail readers I suppose.....
So in real terms this will mean aircraft taken from the RAF, Let Qatar loose on them for 12 months, to abuse and then hand them back and go home to fly nice brand new aircraft. We in the mean time have less aircraft for our own fast jet boys to keep there hours up. Guess the sqn will be then scrapped along with the aircraft.
vulcan558 wrote:So in real terms this will mean aircraft taken from the RAF, Let Qatar loose on them for 12 months, to abuse and then hand them back and go home to fly nice brand new aircraft. We in the mean time have less aircraft for our own fast jet boys to keep there hours up. Guess the sqn will be then scrapped along with the aircraft.
Nope, in real terms this is the first of two squadrons of tranche 1 Typhoons for air defence and aggressor use.
Typhoons that up until these two squadrons were announced, were being retired in the next year or so anyway due to their unupgradability.
12 have likely been chosen because they are the next squadron to disband. So it frees up the numberplate conveniently. For a squadron with its entire history as mud mover, will be odd to associate them with air defence.
Shame 12 Sqdn aren't the Squadron reforming at Lossiemouth, seen them based there with Buccaneers/ Hunters & Tornado GR1/4. Just wonder which Squadron will be reformed at Lossiemouth?