Saudi Signs $3bn BAE Deal

Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry has signed a contract with UK defence giant BAE Systems to buy military aircraft worth $3 billion, the BBC has reported.

The deal will help the Saudi Royal Air Force to offer advanced training with simulators, ground equipment, training devices, spare parts and technical books, an official source from Saudi’s ministry of defence told the Saudi Press Agency.

That in turn will have an impact on the qualification of Saudi air crews to be able to use fighter aircraft of the fourth generation with “efficiency and professionalism,” SPA said.

Earlier this month, the Sunday Times reported that BAE Systems was close to signing a 500 million ($808 million) deal to sell up to 30 Hawk trainer aircraft to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, which ordered 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from BAE, will use the Hawks to train its pilots, said the report.