Saudi Arabia to buy 72 fighter jets from Britain
Arab News - 07 January, 2007
www.gulfinthemedia.com/index.php?id=275029&news_type=Top&lang=en

Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation,
yesterday announced Saudi Arabia's plan to purchase 72 military aircraft
from Britain.

"The delivery (of these planes) will take place very soon and in accordance
with a specific timetable," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the crown prince
as saying.

Prince Sultan was referring to the Kingdom's plans to import Eurofighter
Typhoon aircraft to replace its Tornado and other combat aircraft. Saudi
Arabia and Britain signed a deal on purchasing the jets in December 2005.

The deal was reached after talks between Prince Sultan and British Defense
Secretary John Reid in Riyadh. Sources close to the talks then said the deal
was likely to involve Saudi Arabia buying at least 48 Eurofighter Typhoon
jets, with an option to buy up to 72.

Prince Sultan emphasized the Kingdom's strategy of purchasing arms from
different sources. "We don't want to depend on a single source for our
defense requirements as we want to acquire the best and advanced weapons,"
he said while explaining the strategy.

Prince Sultan made the remarks while talking to reporters after opening the
headquarters of Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd Youth Development Program in
Dammam. He said the program, initiated by the governor of the Eastern
Province, would play a big role in developing skills of young Saudi men and
women.

He also spoke about the government's efforts to develop the international
airports in Jeddah and Dammam. "There is a serious study on King Fahd
Airport in Dammam to develop it further in order to attract more airline
companies," he said when asked about plans to prevent dropout of passengers
to neighboring airports.