18/08/2006

Saudis spend £10bn on Eurofighter

A £10 billion deal has been agreed with the Saudi Arabian government over the supply of the Eurofighter.

The deal is a major boost to BAE and the major contract for the state-of-the-art fighter will safeguard around 40,000 jobs in the defence manufacturing sector.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the “principles” of the deal had been agreed for the suply of the Eurofighter, also known as the Typhoon, produced by a consortium of manufacturers.

The statement read: "The Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland signed an Understanding Document, intended to establish a greater partnership in modernising the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces.

"The required commercial principles have now been agreed which has initiated the purchase of Typhoon aircraft and the associated commitment to the industrial plan to be launched."

The consortium have already received orders from partner states for 620 of the multi-role air superiority/ground attack aircraft which is capable of a number of in-service roles dependant on the ordinance fitted.

(SP)

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