Latest news with #TyphoonEurofighter
Metro
5 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Putin is 'a long-term threat to the freedom of Europe'
The German chancellor has warned Putin poses a long term threat to the whole of Europe and not just Ukraine. Friedrich Merz said the US's accusations that the continent was doing too little to secure its own defence was right as Putin continues to make threats against Western Europe. In a visits to the UK in a bid boost the countries' defence ties as part of a friendship treaty, the chancellor said more need to be done to prepare against Putin's threats. He told the BBC: 'We are seeing a big threat, and the threat is Russia. And this threat is not only on Ukraine. 'It's on our peace, on our freedom, on the political order of Europe.' Merz said US President Donald Trump's accusations that the continent was doing too little to secure its own defence was right, admitting they had been 'free-riders in the past'. At a security conference in Munich in the run up to the German election, US Vice-President JD Vance read out a list of accusations against European countries. Following this, the new chancellor was able to push for a change in the German constitution to allow for a rise in defence spending, describing the new rule was 'to do whatever it takes'. He said: 'We are not strong enough, our army is not strong enough, so that's the reason why we are spending a lot of money.' On the night of his election victory, he said Trump's administration was 'largely indifferent to the fate of Europe'. Instead the UK, France and Germany are working on an alliance dubbed the E3 to focus on security as well as economic growth. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Britain and Germany already collaborate in making Typhoon Eurofighter jets and Boxer armoured vehicles. They are also developing a 2,000km range missile, with assurances Ukraine would receive support in 'long-range fire'. Trump also said he will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine to help in its defense against Russia. The weapons will be 'quickly distributed to the battlefield', he said. More Trending As Trump issued the threat, seven regions in northern and eastern Ukraine were under air alerts after drones killed four people and injured 21 others in the Kharkiv and Sumy areas. He announced the threat to Russia during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump has threatened to hit European imports with 30% sanctions. Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Rasmussen, called it 'absolutely unacceptable and unjustified' and said that Europe does 'not want a trade war' with America. The European Union's trade commissioner said they are considering retaliatory tariffs if Trump moves forward. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Granny, 80, accidentally 'burns eyes' of bathers after letting off pepper spray in spa MORE: How a dusty old envelope led to discovery of one of world's rarest minerals MORE: Here's how it could become harder for people-smugglers to reach the UK
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Britain and Germany to build ‘super missile' in joint military project
Britain and Germany are set to develop a new 'super-missile' as the two countries vowed to protect each other from attack, German media reported. The two nations are launching a joint military project to build a 'super-Taurus' long-range missile system over the next ten years to deter Russian aggression, according to Politico. Germany already has around 600 Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500km, and has refused to allow Ukraine to use them against Russia. On Thursday, the UK and Germany signed a wide-ranging friendship treaty as German chancellor Friedrich Merz visited London. The treaty includes a clause on mutual assistance which, "in light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, is highly significant", a German official said earlier this week. Britain and Germany pledged to "pursue joint export campaigns" to drum up orders from other countries for equipment they make jointly, such as the Typhoon Eurofighter jet and the Boxer armoured vehicle. That could help boost sales, and represents a significant reversal from the previous 10 years, when Germany blocked Saudi Arabia and Turkey from buying Typhoons. Further deepening ties, a German defence tech company, Stark, has also agreed to build a new factory in Britain, the first production facility outside of Germany, to create AI-powered unmanned systems. Beyond defence, the treaty also includes an agreement to develop a new direct rail link between the two countries and to jointly combat irregular migration. Germany pledged to outlaw the facilitation of illegal migration to Britain, with a law change by the end of the year. That would give law enforcement the tools to investigate warehouses and storage facilities used by migrant smugglers to conceal dangerous small boats intended for illegal crossings to Britain. 'This is a historic day for German-British relations," Mr Merz said at the signing ceremony in the Victoria and Albert museum. 'We want to deepen our cooperation in the field of defence, in foreign policy, but also in economic and domestic policy.' Mr Merz's trip followed a three-day state visit to Britain by French president Emmanuel Macron, signalling greater cooperation between Europe's top three powers at a time of threats to the continent and uncertainty about their US ally. Europe has been confronted with new US tariffs since President Donald Trump returned to the White House as well as questions about the US commitment to defend its European allies, including Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
Memri
03-07-2025
- Business
- Memri
The Qatar Air Force Monitor (QAFM) Project
The Qatar Air Force Monitor (QAFM) Project aims to present current trends in the development of Qatari air power, acquisitions, training and global cooperation. The project will expose the potential regional implications of a jihadi terror-sponsoring state – the emirate of Qatar – that is armed with the latest and most advanced American, European and Israeli combat aviation technology. The following is a preliminary background report on the Qatari Emiri Air Force. The Qatar Air Force Monitor Project The Qatari Emiri Air Force is one of the most rapidly evolving air forces in the world. Up until 2014, its operational backbone numbered only nine Mirage 2000-5EDA defense fighters. In a leap of military transformation that began around 2014 – focusing on enhancing airpower capabilities through acquisition of the most advanced non-stealth and stealth-enhanced fighters – Qatar was able to build one of the most powerful air fleets in the Middle East. Qatari Emiri Air Force badge. On April 11, 2025, Qatar participated in a multinational drill hosted by Greece, alongside France, India, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Israel, Slovenia, Spain, UAE, and the U.S. The Qatari air force demonstrated the capabilities of its F-15QA fighter squadron.[1] The Qatari Emiri Air Force Active Fleet (2025) Source: The Three-Pronged Acquisition Model: Defense Relations Through Purchase In its expansion process, the Qatari air force had opted to purchase fighter jets from three different companies: The F-15QA, manufactured by the Boeing company The Rafale , manufactured by French Dassault Aviation The Typhoon Eurofighter, a combined multinational development of the UK, Germany, Italy, France and Spain. Each of these acquisitions came with complete maintenance and pilot training, thus enhancing and solidifying Qatari relations with the USAF, the French Air Force and the UK's RAF.[2] The photo above shows Boeing's state of the art F-15QA "Ababil," on its pre-delivery fueling mission before flying to Qatar, April 10, 2025. The "Ababil" (ابابيل), named after a mythical Quranic bird that protected the Kaaba by pelting the invading armies with stones, is currently one of the most advanced "stealth-enhanced" fighter jets.[3] According to the website of the Israeli company Elbit Systems, the F-15 is equipped with Elbit components, including "fuel tanks, pylons, horizontal stabilizers and adapters."[4] According to other media reports, Boeing's Qatari F-15QA is equipped with an Elbit "anti-jamming" system,[5] as well as the Israeli Rafael Sky Shield electronic warfare system.[6] Dassault "Rafale". The Qatari model could be also equipped with an optional Elbit component: the TARGO-II helmet-mounted target designation system. The Typhoon Eurofighter. The Qataris have formed a joint squadron of Typhoons with the RAF - the 12 squadron based in Coningsby. The 11 joint squadron of the RAF and Qatari air force, flying the "Hawk" training aircraft (see below), is based in Leeming airbase in North Yorkshire [7]. The Al-Zaeem Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Attiyah Air Academy In Al-Udeid Since 2009, the Qatari air force has been running its own pilot training program at the Al-Zaeem Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Attiyah Air Academy,[8] which is named after the former head of the Qatari armed forces, who later served also as chief of police.[9] The academy is located at the Al-Udeid airbase. The 12th class of the academy graduated on January 22, 2025. Training a cohort of cadets – among them female cadets – takes up to 4 years, including advanced training in the UK and Italy for pilots trained to fly the F-15 and Typhoon fighter jets. One hundred and nineteen graduates qualified as pilots and drone operators in the latest class of the Academy – 100 men and 19 women – among them 14 from "neighboring and friendly countries": Jordan, Tunisia, Somalia,. and Rwanda.[10] The Al-Zaeem Academy badge. Qatari basic flight training aircraft below include (left to right) the PC21, H125 (Helicopter), and the BAE Systems "Hawk." The academy also trains pilots to fly the Pilatus PC-24 (down), a Swiss-made light business jet (below). Classes in jet engine mechanics, like the one below, are conducted in English. In this class, cadets are expected to understand and be able to explain the mechanics of a gas turbine engine. A control tower simulator is used for training airfield personnel. Air traffic control training is conducted. The Qatari air force trains personnel in both ATC (Air Traffic Control) and DCI (Data Communications Infrastructure). Training for done operators is conducted. Below is a Qatari training drone. Lately, Qatar has opted to purchase eight MQ-9B "Skyguardian" UAVs , one of the most advanced UAV's in current manufacture in the U.S.[11] Skyguardian by General Atomics. Below, the Emir of Qatar, commander in chief of the Qatari armed forces, surveys the guard of the 12th class of cadets graduating from the Al-Zaeem Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Attiyah Air Academy,[12] on January 22, 2025. Qatar In The Sky – With American Technology Qatar is the foremost sponsor of Islamist terrorism worldwide, followed by its close ally, Iran. Israel and the U.S. were able to attack Iran, knowing how ineffective Iran's air force was (the IRIAF comprised mainly aging Cold War-era planes, largely ineffective in today's aerial battlefield).[13] However, a similar attack on Iran's ally, Qatar, would have posed much greater challenges for any attacking air force – given the bolstered strength of the Qatari air force, which is now equipped with the most advanced aircrafts, aviation technology and munitions, as well as deep knowledge of air combat tactics of the U.S and NATO states' air forces. U.S.- Qatar Defense Contracts Despite Qatar's deeply embedded and unwavering support for extremist Islamist movements all around the globe, as well as its blatant incitement for terrorism and antisemitism through the Qatari owned Al-Jazeera media channel, the U.S. continues to sign defense contracts with Qatar through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.[14] A U.S. State Department press release from January 2025 states:[15] "The U.S. has over $26 billion in active government-to-government cases with Qatar under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system, making Qatar the second-largest FMS partner in the world. Recent and significant FMS sales include: Integrated Air & Missile Defense System, including the Patriot long-range missile system, the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System, and the AN/FPS-132 Early Warning Radar; F-15QA fighter aircraft – the most advanced F-15 in production; and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. Each of these programs includes facility construction and extended munitions, logistics, and training support." Qatar and Boeing The Boeing Company maintains both the Qatari Airways and the Qatari Air Force fleets of hundreds of Boeing Aircraft. Boeing also funds technological entrepreneurship and innovation programs in Qatar. From the "Boeing in Qatar" brochure, 2024 ( In 2024, Boeing and the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) established a new legal entity called Boeing Aerospace Doha LLC, in Qatar.[16] A May 2025 video shows President Donald Trump's total and absolute trust in the air force of Qatar, a proven ally of Iran, as Air Force One is accompanied by F-15 "Ababils." The Apache AH-64E attack helicopter, manufactured by Boeing, currently the most advanced attack helicopter in the world. Qatari AH-64s flying in formation A Qatari air force C-17 "Globemaster" by Boeing. The Globemaster can carry 102 troops and their equipment, or 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms) of cargo ( Qatari air force M C-17 Globemaster. Currently, Qatar has eight C-17 aircraft in its fleet. Qatari C-130J. Four of them are in service. * The Qatar Air Force Monitor Project provides periodical updates on Qatari air strength development.
