Re: Saudi Arabia commits to Eurofighter Typhoon deal
DID: ......Given the Eurofighter's current optimization for an air-air role and the continued usefulness of Saudi Arabia's Tornado IDS strike aircraft, observers are urged to be cautious about assuming that all Royal Saudi Air Force Tornados will be withdrawn from service as the Eurofighters arrive. The UK Ministry of Defence release said simply: "Under the terms of the signed document Typhoon aircraft will replace Tornado Air Defence Variant aircraft and others currently in service with the RSAF." Note the lack of specificity beyond the Tornado F3s.
Saudi Arabia also has 72 F-15S downgraded Strike Eagle variants delivered under the Peace Sun IX contracts that could take over the Tornado IDS' strike role, but this would reduce the kingdom's current strike capabilities.
The Eurofighters could serve at least as well as replacements for the 24 Tornado ADVs of 29 Squadron, the elderly F-5/RF-5 Tiger IIs of 17 Squadron near Jeddah, and the 62 American F-15 C/D Eagle air superiority fighters acquired during the 1980s......
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Which makes a total of about 200 jets. Then, in the Herald, Dec 30th:
SAUDI Arabia plans to buy more than 200 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the UK in a deal worth up to £40bn including spares, maintenance and training over the next 20 years, The Herald has learned.......