BAE strikes Hawk deal with Saudi Arabia

23 May 2012 By Graham Ruddick- The Telegraph

BAE Systems has agreed a £1.6bn deal to sell Hawk training jets to Saudi Arabia.

The company, Britain’s biggest defence manufacturer, says the contract includes 22 new Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft, 55 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft and other aircrew training equipment, as well as a support package such as the provision of spares.

A Saudi Arabian defence official told news agency SPA that the deal will help its pilots "to use fourth generation jet fighters in full professionalism and efficiency".

BAE already has an agreement to produce 72 Typhoon fighter jets for Saudi Arabia.

The deal also means that 218 jobs are set to be saved at BAE’s factory in Brough that produces the Hawk.

BAE said last year that it planned to end manufacturing at Brough with the loss of 900 jobs.

However, a deal has been struck that means manufacturing will continue until 2015 through BAE bringing work previously done under subcontract elsewhere back in-house.

Guy Griffiths, group managing director for BAE's international arm, said: "We are honoured that BAE Systems has been awarded this contract to provide the Royal Saudi Air Force with aircraft and training equipment to meet their future aircrew training needs.

"We have a long history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and working with Pilatus, we will provide the RSAF with the best training platforms to meet their requirements.

"Through the Hawk advanced jet trainer, the trainee fast jet pilots will have access to the very latest in advanced simulation for radar, weapons and defensive aids training to enable a smooth transition to front line aircraft, including Typhoon."