Photos: Qatar signs £5billion deal to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from the UK

Qatar signed a multi-billion-dollar deal Sunday to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from Britain, its second major defence agreement this week, which comes during the worst political crisis in the region for years.

The £5billion deal was signed in Doha by Qatar's Defence Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah and his British counterpart Gavin Williamson. Williamson said it was the biggest order for Typhoons in a decade, and it follows a billion-dollar deal signed by Qatar on December 7 to buy 12 French Dassault Aviation warplanes. The deal also includes an intention for Qatar to buy further military equipment from Britain, namely the purchase of Hawk aircraft. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two countries for this Typhoon contract in September. Qatar is the ninth country to sign a deal for Typhoon jets, said London. A statement from Qatar's armed forces said the two ministers also signed an 'agreement for building up a Joint Operational Squadron' between the two countries' air forces to provide security during the 2022 football World Cup, which the Gulf state will host. Sunday's deal comes at a politically sensitive time for both countries.