The Royal Air Force has completed its support to Qatar’s air security operations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ensuring a safe and successful event for football fans.
Personnel and assets from all three British forces deployed to the host nation to support Qatar Ministry of Defence’s counter-terrorism efforts during the FIFA competition, named Operation World Cup Shield.
UK Armed Forces have worked side by side with our Qatari partners and other nations in the last few weeks to ensure everyone can enjoy a safe and secure World Cup. Our relationship with Qatar has been strengthened further through this deployment, during which aircraft from our joint UK-Qatar Typhoon squadron demonstrated the true benefits of our partnership.
Ben Wallace
Defence Secretary
The RAF supported air security operations with 12 Squadron, the joint UK-Qatar Typhoon Squadron from RAF Coningsby, and a RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton.
12 Squadron operated eight Typhoon aircraft from Dukhan Air Base alongside Qatar Emiri Air Force fast jet squadrons, flying a total of 114 operational hours during the tournament. Flying from Al-Udeid Air Base, the RAF Voyager provided air-to-air refuelling capability to both RAF and Qatar Emiri Air Force fast jets during their security missions.
The World Cup hosted by the State of Qatar was a great success in bringing people from all around the world to enjoy the beautiful game of football. To assure the safety and security of the State and the spectators of the game, Qatar relied on its network of allies and friends to come together in concert to provide the highest form of security and shield through its defence cooperation. The strong and long-standing Qatari-UK defence partnership, which includes the joint Typhoon squadron, has played an essential role in safeguarding the State and the people during the events of the World Cup 2022.
Alongside World Cup support, 12 Squadron has also been taking part in ‘Project Thariyat’. In September 2022, 160 personnel deployed from RAF Coningsby for six months to support the formation of the Qatar Emiri Air Force's first Typhoon squadron.
His Excellency Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs in Qatar
It is with immense pride that 12 Squadron has helped secure the FIFA World Cup, and to witness first-hand the new Qatar Typhoon Wing delivering operational effect within weeks of receiving their first jets. This is testament to the immense efforts of our people over the last few years who have worked as a joint RAF-Qatar Emiri Air Force team to ensure this success.
Wing Commander Wright
Officer Commanding 12 Squadron
Security operations for the FIFA World Cup were overseen by Qatar Ministry of Defence. The UK’s contribution adds expertise and capability, in part gained through the UK’s Olympic experience in 2012. It is a demonstration of our strong defence relationship, and further enhances the UK and Qatar’s ability to tackle our shared security challenges – contributing to regional stability and protecting mutual prosperity and security.
