QEAF Typhoon first flight

On 25 November 2021, the first BAE Systems Typhoon destined for the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) departed for a test flight from Warton Aerodrome (UK).

The fighter, serial ZR505 and construction/customer number MS001,was still in primer colours. The test pilot performed a so called performance take off from runway 25 and landed, after making one overshoot, deploying the chute. The exact variant is most likely Typhoon FGR4.

The QEAF ordered 24 Typhoons in December 2017, together with nine Hawk Mk167 training aircraft. Originally six Hawks were ordered, but this was changed to nine in June 2018. The first Typhoons are expected to be delivered in the summer of 2022.

At this moment, QEAF pilots are training with Royal Air Force (RAF) 12 Squadron Typhoons at RAF Coningsby. The first Hawks were delivered to a joint RAF/QEAF training squadron at RAF Leeming in September 2021.

Photo by Martin Greenman