Eurofighter’s Typhoon, shown here in the UAE last year during an exercise, is already in service in the region with Saudi Arabia. It is well along the road to an order from Oman, and is a strong contender in the Qatari competition
Posted on 02/21/2011 8:02:38 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Fighter market heats up in the Gulf
David Donald
Sunday, 20 February, 2011
In recent times, the focus of the world’s fighter manufacturers has been distracted away from the Gulf region to the major competitions in Brazil and India. However, the announcement towards the end of last year of a huge potential order by Saudi Arabia served as a reminder that the Middle East remains a market offering enormous potential, as several Gulf States seek to further modernise their fighter forces.
Last October, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) released details of a proposed sale of vast proportions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As well as numerous helicopters, the deal included a near-$30 billion for 84 new Boeing F-15SA multirole fighters, together with upgrade packages to the same standard for 70 current F-15Ss. The new fighters are highly advanced versions of the Eagle, with the latest defensive avionics and Raytheon’s APG-63(V)3 electronically scanned (AESA) radar.
When this order is finalised – and there is no reason to expect otherwise – the deal will accelerate the Royal Saudi Air Force’s modernisation plan, which is already underway through the ongoing delivery of 72 Eurofighter Typhoons and the upgrading of Tornado attackers.
UAE
Although on its own, the Saudi deal significantly alters the air power map in the region, other Gulf States are also in the process of procuring new fighters. Here in the UAE, a requirement exists to replace the 63-strong fleet of Dassault Mirage 2000-9s with a state-of-the-art fighter.
Two years ago it surfaced that the UAE was intending to acquire the Dassault Rafale in a deal for 60 aircraft that could be worth about $10 billion.
(Excerpt) Read more at janes.com ...
Eurofighter’s Typhoon, shown here in the UAE last year during an exercise, is already in service in the region with Saudi Arabia. It is well along the road to an order from Oman, and is a strong contender in the Qatari competition
/johnny
“Castro! You bearded faggot!! I’d like to chase you down the streets of Havana in my F-4!!!
And DeGaulle!!
God! GOD!! Why do you put so many jerks in the world at the same time??!!”
Bull Meechum
“The Great Santini”
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