Saudi Arabia's first Eurofighter Typhoons head for Middle East

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DATE:29/06/09
SOURCE:Flight International

Saudi Arabia's first Eurofighter Typhoons head for Middle East

By Craig Hoyle

Saudi Arabia's first two of 72 Eurofighter Typhoons have been flown to the country's King Fahd air base near Taif, less than two weeks after a formal roll-out ceremony was held in the UK.

Pictured in Toulouse, France, on 24 June, the aircraft are among 24 Typhoons originally scheduled for delivery to the UK Royal Air Force under London's Tranche 2 Eurofighter production order, but sold to Riyadh under a government-to-government deal dubbed Project Salam.

The Royal Saudi Air Force will receive a further 48 locally assembled Typhoons. Details of the Saudi industrial arrangements have yet to be confirmed, but are expected to involve Riyadh-headquartered Alsalam Aircraft during assembly and in-service support activities.

Saudi Arabia's first Typhoon made its debut flight from BAE Systems' Warton plant in Lancashire last October, with an official roll-out event having taken place at the site on 11 June for aircraft 1001 and 1002.

Source with Pictures here:
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/06/29/328963/pictures-saudi-arabias-first-eurofighter-typhoons-head-for-middle.html