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Yet another kick in the teeth for Chirac.......

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Yet another kick in the teeth for Chirac.......

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Old 10th May 2006, 09:22
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Yet another kick in the teeth for Chirac.......

BAE Systems, is in the running for an $8.8 billion (£4.7 billion) Saudi Arabian defence contract after Riyadh broke off one-to-one talks with the French group Thales in a fresh setback for France’s embattled President Chirac.
The Saudis have put the contract for border surveillance and protection out to tender after terminating 12 years of exclusive talks with the Gallic defence electronics group.
The move paves the way for BAE Systems, along with Raytheon of the US and Finmeccanica of Italy, to bid to supply 225 air, sea and ground radar installations as well as reconnaissance aircraft, telecommunications equipment and about 20 helicopters.
BAE Systems said: “We are aware of a number of Saudi requirements in this area and are actively bidding for a number of them.” EADS, the European defence and aerospace group — and Airbus’s parent — said its bid was already under way


The contract will run for 12 years and is part of Saudi Arabia’s attempt to upgrade its defence capacity amid instability in the Middle East. The Saudi Border Guard Development Programme is designed to prevent infiltration along the borders with Yemen, Oman, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait or along its 1,640 miles of coastline.


Chirac hoped to conclude a deal on behalf of Thales when he visited Riyadh in March. But he emerged empty-handed from his visit when he failed even to obtain a meeting with Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, the Defence Minister.

Chirac believed his long relationship with King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, who became ruler of Saudi Arabia and head of the House of Saud after King Fahd’s death last year, would secure the contract.
French Press commentators said the failure underlined France’s waning prestige in the Middle East and Chirac’s personal decline. The newspaper La Tribune accused him of misjudging his influence over the Saudi leadership. French radio said that lobbying by London and Washington had helped to persuade Riyadh to put the contract out to tender.


GengisK
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Old 10th May 2006, 13:23
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Saw this article in the Times on Saturday. Alongside it was a picture of Nimrod MR2 XV255! No mention was made in the article, but is the journalist making a link with Nimrods for the reconnaisance requirement? Is he in the know? Would they consider an Airbus platform? Anyone have any knowledge?

There was talk sometime ago of opening a production line to make new Nimrods (MRA4 variety) for sale. Initially the set up costs were considered prohibitive, but if the Saudis were to be considered a customer, is cost an issue?

Why is there no icon for old!

Shadwell (growing older by the day)
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Old 10th May 2006, 13:34
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The ASTOR might come in handy for surveillance over all that desert......
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