Britain and Saudis sign off on massive arms deal

[Flyingblind]

Not the best link i could find but still, its a start untill other news comes forth.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/18/2035939.htm

[wg13_dummy]

Heres one from the Beeb;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6998774.stm


Seems we've off-loaded the ones we didn't want anymore........


Of course, its all above board. :hmm:

[Ewan Whosearmy]

...and we managed to do it without undermining our sanctimonious preachings about corruption to rest of the world. Oh, wait a minute... :ugh:

[Saintsman]

I believe that a bribe - paying someone not to do something they should do, is illegal. An inducement - paying someone to do something that they should do, is legal.

Its therefore all above board!

[moggiee]

There's nothing wrong with paying "advisors" surely? If there was all our politicians would be in jail! :)

(wishful thinking there, Mog).

Mind you, a few days back BAE claimed not to know anything about such a deal:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6982781.stm

"Deny EVERYTHING, Baldrick".

[jindabyne]

Is there an echo ------

[WasNaeMe]

t'bungling Baron does it again....... Whippets & flat caps. What cost to the British economy?

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Funny old world isn't it? With all the recent indications on how hollow our consumer and property led economy is, there are still those that cannot grasp that it is this sort of sale that actually makes the real money. How dreadful that it requires skilled Englishmen to get their hands dirty, making things!

[moggiee]

Remember chaps, that the deal is NOT between BAE and the Saudi government, but between the UK and Saudi governments. As such, BAE is a subcontractor and HMG is using them to supply the aeroplanes and services that HMG has sold to the Saudis.

So, if HMG (via the MoD) paid the Typhoon development costs and wishes to flog the beast to the Saudis then it is their perogative.

If these aircraft come out of the original 232 then surely they are the governments to do with as they wish?

[ARINC]

As was the case with Al Yamamah 1 ....A tanker a week was the deal I believe...:}

[Echo 5]

Is there an echo ------

Only me. Surprised BEags hasn't reponded yet :hmm: