A Royal Saudi Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon arrives at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, England, ahead of Exercise Cobra Warrior (UK Royal Air Force)
BELFAST — A long delayed second tranche Eurofighter Typhoon fourth generation fighter jet order for Saudi Arabia looks to be moving forward again, as BAE Systems says it’s in the process of collaborating with the UK government on a formal Statement of Requirements in support of the deal.
The manufacturer has been typically guarded in remarks about the politically sensitive matter over recent years. The order has been on hold at the behest of Germany, which blocked arms deliveries to Saudi Arabia in response to its conduct in the Yemen war and the murder of US-Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The second tranche order, expected to cover 48 aircraft, also had looked to be under threat from a rival French proposal offering Dassault’s Rafale fighter.
Berlin, however, lifted the block on the sale of Typhoons earlier this month.
“We are supporting the UK government to respond to the Statement of Requirements issued by the Saudi Arabian Government for a future requirement of Typhoon aircraft,” said a BAE spokesperson in a statement today.
The apparent confirmation that Riyadh has delivered firm requirements to the UK marks a major step forward on the path to closing a Typhoon deal and strongly suggests the German decision has led to a decisive breakthrough. The UK MoD did not immediately respond to an after-hours request for comment.
Saudi Arabia already operates a fleet of 72 Eurofighters after a first sale with BAE was agreed in 2007.
If a new order is secured, the four Eurofighter nations of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK would each contribute to building the Typhoon jets, with final assembly taking place at BAE Systems production facility in Warton in northern England.
All eyes will be on the Saudi defense ministry early next month as Riyadh hosts the World Defense Show, a likely venue for any major procurement announcements.
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