Eurofighter beats out F-35 for $4.1-billion Oman contract
by The Canadian Press
BAE's Eurofighter Typhoon is an advanced multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft similar to Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
LONDON—BAE Systems has won a $4.1 billion deal to supply the Arabian Sultanate of Oman 20 advanced, multi-role aircraft.
The contract for 12 Typhoon fighter jets and eight Hawk aircraft is expected to start in 2017. The country currently operates Jaguar fighter aircraft and trains pilots on an earlier variant of the BAE Systems Hawk.
The deal makes the Gulf nation the seventh country to use the Eurofighter Typhoon jet, which is built by a consortium of European aerospace companies and is a competitor to the F-35 joint strike fighter currently embroiled in purchasing controversy here in Canada.
The contracts cover the supply of the aircraft and in-service support, BAE added, saying the deal supports its strategy to grow its international markets and export business.
Last month, British Prime Minister David Cameron toured the Middle East to spur British arms sales. He visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where he sought to persuade the United Arab Emirates to buy Typhoons instead of French fighter jets.
He dismissed concerns about U.K. arms to the Gulf region, saying boosting exports is vital for Britain’s economic growth.
