#SP284 UK - Qatar Joint Hawk and Typhoon Squadron print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. SP284 - Uk - Qatar Joint Hawk & Typhoon Squadrons.
No. 11 Squadron and No. 12 Squadron demonstrate the defence collaboration between the Qatar Emiri Air Force and the Royal Air Force, exemplifying the interoperability and strength of the UK-Qatar defence partnership. Together, they deliver operational excellence and world-class fast jet training on both the Typhoon and Hawk platforms. 11 Squadron, based at RAF Leeming, is the UK – Qatar Joint Hawk Training Squadron known as ‘11 Squadron (Qatar),’ building on years of close partnership between the RAF and the Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF). The Squadron delivers advanced jet training to Qatari Emiri Air Force and RAF pilots in the Hawk Mk 167. The training greatly enhancing the capabilities of the two Air Forces and their ability to operate together. In October 2020 British and Qatari Defence Ministers signed a Statement of Intent, part of this agreement saw the confirmation that the QEAF’s Hawk fleet would be based at RAF Leeming. In September 2021 the first two Hawk Mk 167’s were delivered, and in November 2021 Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace MP and the Qatari Minister of State for Defence, His Excellency Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, officially unveiled the Joint Hawk Training Squadron at RAF Leeming. In 2023 the remaining seven Hawk Mk 167 aircraft were delivered. The Squadron continues to operate today, delivering fast jet training to Qatari pilots. 12 Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby, is the UK’s first and only Joint Typhoon Squadron formed in partnership with Qatar on 24th July 2018. 12 Squadron delivers multi-role combat capabilities and advanced pilot training as a Joint UK-Qatari Sqn. The Squadron flew its first sortie on 2nd June 2019 and the first cohort of QEAF pilots completed their full UK flying training programme in December 2020. Notably that year the Squadron participated in their first Exercise EPIC SKIES as a joint RAF-QEAF squadron. In August 2022, the QEAF took delivery of their first Typhoon jet, and later that year the Joint Squadron participated in the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022. Since 2022 12 Squadron have regularly taken part in Exercise EPIC SKIES, MAGIC CARPET, ATLANTIC TRIDENT, SOARING FALCON and ATLC (Advanced Tactical Leadership Course). In March 2025, the partnership reached a new milestone when the first QEAF Pilot graduated from the RAF Qualified Weapons Instructor Course (QWIC).