Just days after agreeing to order 12 Rafale combat aircraft from Dassault Aviation SA, Qatar Emiri Air Force decided to go ahead with a preliminary deal struck earlier with the United Kingdom. The beleaguered Middle Eastern monarchy signed a contract for 24 Eurofighter Typhoons, developed by Leonardo SpA, BAE Systems Plc and Airbus SE.
The purchase published on Sunday is valued at £5 billion including support and training, but the exact sum depends on the terms of funding, the British company revealed. Britain also inked deals for the supply of missiles and guided bombs worth another £1 billion. The first installment should be wired by the middle of the year, BAE was quoted as saying, while the target for the first shipment is 2022.
