UK inks Saudi deal for 48 Typhoon jets
Britain has signed a multi-billion-pound preliminary order from Saudi Arabia for 48 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, military equipment maker BAE Systems said on Friday.
The lucrative deal was unveiled on the third and final day of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Britain.
BAE Systems added in a statement that the order would help Riyadh modernise its armed forces under the kingdom's 'Vision 2030' economic plan, while no financial details were given.
Eurofighter was developed by a European consortium that also comprises Italy's Finmeccanica and Franco-German civilian planemaker Airbus.
"The UK Government has signed a Memorandum of Intent with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to aim to finalise discussions for the purchase of 48 Typhoon Aircraft," BAE Systems said in a brief statement to the London Stock Exchange.
The news comes after Qatar inked a deal late last year to buy 24 Typhoon jets for some $8.0 billion.
Friday's blockbuster announcement follows long-running discussions with Saudi Arabia, which already has a total of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon planes in its fleet.
The Eurofighter Typhoon -- a competitor to the Rafale jet manufactured by French arms maker Dassault -- has four major customers comprising Austria, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi.
Back in April 2016, the Saudi government approved major reform plans dubbed "Vision 2030" that are aimed at diversifying the nation's oil-dependent economy.
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