As a part of the £5 billion-pound contract to supply Qatar with 24 Eurofighter Typhoon combat Aircraft and 9 Hawk T2 trainer aircraft, No.12 Squadron of British Royal Air Force will integrate Qatari personnel, including pilots and ground-crew, from 2019.

The personnel will be initially stationed at RAF Coningsby, and then in Qatar, undertaking a package of training and co-operation with their UK counterparts.

It represents a unique initiative, and not since the Second World War and the Battle of Britain has the RAF formed a squadron with another nation.

The Joint Squadron will provide the Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) with valuable experience operating the aircraft and speed up their preparation for when the first QAAF Typhoon are delivered in 2022.