The Royal Saudi Air Force’s Typhoon aircraft completed 10,000 flying hours recently, BAE Systems Saudi Arabia PR and communications director Monther M. Tayeb told Arab News.

“The Typhoon aircraft’s performance is significant in the history of any fleet. Eurofighter Typhoon is the world’s most advanced swing-role combat aircraft simultaneously providing deployable air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities,” he said.

Tayeb noted that BAE Systems delivered the first two Typhoon aircrafts in the Kingdom in 2009 and form part of a fleet totaling 72 aircrafts.

“This agreement forms part of a strategic relationship between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom,” he said.

He said that the BAE Systems history in Saudi Arabia coincides with the start of its relationship with the Saudi government and the Royal Saudi Air Force, dating back to the early 1960s and the Lightning Aircraft.

This relationship has grown over the years through a series of defense pacts and long-term support arrangements according to Tayeb.

“This investment is part of BAE’s overall strategy that also includes extensive training and development of our Saudi employees, skills transfer from European aircraft manufacturers and the transfer of technology to allow more of the maintenance and training to take place in Saudi Arabia,” Tayeb said.

The BAE Systems has invested SR 18 billion over the last five years in the Kingdom and is a leading supporter of the Saudi Arabian Defense Industrialization. It also has very strong relationships with a number of Saudi partner companies.

These include the Advanced Electronics Company (AEC), Saudi Development and Training Company and International Systems Engineering Company.

 
[wpResize]