Eurofighter Sale to Saudi Arabia Agreed
The government agreed today to supply Saudi Arabia with the new Eurofighter in the first contract for the jet fighter outside Europe.
The government agreed today to supply Saudi Arabia with the new Eurofighter in the first contract for the jet fighter outside Europe.
The UK and Saudi Arabia signed an "understanding document" to modernise the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces that will see the Eurofighter Typhoon replace the Tornado.
The Ministry of Defence said the partnership recognised actions by both governments to "combat global terrorism" and would safeguard thousands of jobs over the next 10 years in the UK, where BAE Systems builds the Eurofighter.
Shares in BAE lifted more than 6% earlier today as rumours of an order from Saudi Arabia of 48 Eurofighters swept the markets.
The Eurofighter's UK base is at Warton, Lancashire, where BAE employs 9,000 people in its aircraft division.
The jet was developed by a consortium of companies in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy and is competing against two rival projects, the US-made Joint Strike Fighter and the French Rafael.
Both BAE and the MoD said details of how many Eurofighters would be sold to Saudi Arabia were confidential, but industry sources said they were "very pleased".
The MoD said: "The understanding document is intended to establish a greater partnership in modernising the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and developing close service-to-service contacts especially through joint training and exercises.
"The partnership also recognises the key objectives shares by the two governments with regard to national security and actions to combat global terrorism."
The Conservatives welcomed the announcement. The shadow defence minister, Gerald Howarth, said: "The decision by the Saudi government to purchase the Typhoon is welcome news for the UK defence industry and demonstrates the enduring relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UK.
"The UK defence industry continues to be at the forefront of cutting edge defence technology.
"The Typhoon is a truly world class aircraft and today's announcement confirms the esteem in which UK equipment is held worldwide."
The Liberal Democrats are pledged to scrap further UK purchases of the Eurofighter.
The UK and Saudi Arabia signed an "understanding document" to modernise the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces that will see the Eurofighter Typhoon replace the Tornado.
The Ministry of Defence said the partnership recognised actions by both governments to "combat global terrorism" and would safeguard thousands of jobs over the next 10 years in the UK, where BAE Systems builds the Eurofighter.
Shares in BAE lifted more than 6% earlier today as rumours of an order from Saudi Arabia of 48 Eurofighters swept the markets.
The Eurofighter's UK base is at Warton, Lancashire, where BAE employs 9,000 people in its aircraft division.
The jet was developed by a consortium of companies in the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy and is competing against two rival projects, the US-made Joint Strike Fighter and the French Rafael.
Both BAE and the MoD said details of how many Eurofighters would be sold to Saudi Arabia were confidential, but industry sources said they were "very pleased".
The MoD said: "The understanding document is intended to establish a greater partnership in modernising the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and developing close service-to-service contacts especially through joint training and exercises.
"The partnership also recognises the key objectives shares by the two governments with regard to national security and actions to combat global terrorism."
The Conservatives welcomed the announcement. The shadow defence minister, Gerald Howarth, said: "The decision by the Saudi government to purchase the Typhoon is welcome news for the UK defence industry and demonstrates the enduring relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UK.
"The UK defence industry continues to be at the forefront of cutting edge defence technology.
"The Typhoon is a truly world class aircraft and today's announcement confirms the esteem in which UK equipment is held worldwide."
The Liberal Democrats are pledged to scrap further UK purchases of the Eurofighter.
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