BAE Systems has struck a £5 billion deal to provide Qatar with 24 Typhoon combat jets, helping to secure thousands of UK jobs.

The contract is thought to be the biggest export deal for the Typhoon in a decade, and will give BAE and its workers greater certainty after 2,000 jobs were cut in October due to a slowdown in Typhoon orders.

24 Typhoon combat jet are to be exported to Qatar in £5n deal

Around 5,000 people are employed at the Warton and Samlesbury plants in Lancashire where the Typhoon aircraft is assembled.

A deal between BAE and Qatar had been cast into doubt after the country’s defence minister was reported to have signed a letter of intent in September but nothing had been confirmed since.