DURING A roll-out ceremony on August 15 at BAE Systems facility in Warton, Lancashire, the first Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Eurofighter Typhoon was formally handed over. The single-seat aircraft, serial number QA404/ZR505 (MS001), is the first of 24 on order for the QEAF, comprising 20 single-seat and four two-seat types. The event was hosted by Cliff Robson, managing director of air at BAE Systems Group, and was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Khalid bin Mohammad AI Attiyah, Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and in the presence of Major General Jassim Mohammed Ahmed AI Mannai, commander of the QEAF. Ben Wallace, UK Secretary of State for Defence, said: "Today's Typhoon delivery is another exciting milestone for our joint UK-Qatar collaboration, which will see the sharing of training and expertise between our respective air forces and will ensure both our nations stay at the forefront of defence capability. This joint project underlines how much Britain values its Middle East partnerships."
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