BAE Lands £1.6bn Saudi Arabian Jet Deal

British defence company BAE Systems has confirmed it has won a £1.6bn deal to provide military trainer jets to Saudi Arabia.

It said the deal is based around the supply of 55 Swiss-built Pilatus PC-21 aircraft to fulfil a basic training role and 22 UK-made Hawk advanced jet trainers.

It includes simulators, ground and training equipment and spare parts.

International group managing director Guy Griffiths said: "We are honoured that BAE Systems has been awarded this contract to provide the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) 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."

A Saudi official said the new jets would help qualify Saudi pilots "to use fourth generation jet fighters in full professionalism and efficiency".

In 2006, Saudi Arabia ordered 72 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters in a deal valued at £21bn.

The multi-role aircraft is built by a consortium of European firms in which BAE Systems has a 33% share.

BAE Systems operates a number of sites within Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, executives told workers at the company's manufacturing facility at Brough, Yorkshire, that more than 200 jobs have been saved at the site.

According to a local news report , around 150 factory floor jobs were under threat, with the rest in management.

BAE Systems has manufactured its successful Hawk trainer at Brough for a number of years.

The aircraft has been sold to numerous air forces around the world and is also used by the RAF aerobatic display team, the Red Arrows .

:: Deliveries of the Pilatus PC-21 will start in 2014 and the Hawk will start from 2016 onwards.