BAE Systems and the Government of the State of Qatar have entered into a contract, valued at about £5 billion, for the supply of 24 Typhoon aircraft to the Qatar Emiri Air Force (along with a bespoke support and training package) (www.baesystems.com).

The contract is subject to financing conditions and receipt by the company of first payment, which are expected to be fulfilled no later than mid-2018 (with delivery expected to commence in late 2022).

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who oversaw the signing of the deal with his Qatari counterpart, said: “This contract will secure work on the production line at Warton into the next decade.”

He also agreed a package of measures that will see the RAF and the QEAF work together more regularly, including Qatari pilots and ground crew receiving training in the UK. Qatar is the ninth country to buy the Typhoon.

A spokesman for the Unite union said: “The Government should follow this news up by signalling its intention to protect highly skilled UK manufacturing jobs by bringing forward an order to replace the Red Arrows’ ageing fleet of Hawk jets, as well as backing the advanced Hawk, which is under development.”