First two Saudi typhoons arrive in Riyadh

The first aircraft are among 24 Typhoons that were originally scheduled for delivery to the the’s UK Royal Air Force but were sold to Riyadh under a government-to-government deal.

The Royal Saudi Air Force will receive a further 48 locally assembled Typhoons. Which are likely to be assembled by Alsalam Aircraft. The Riyadh based company is already slated to provide the in-service support services for the Saudi Air Force when the aircraft begin operations.

Four aircraft have been flying at BAE Systems' Warton aerodrome, and the first four Royal Saudi Air Force completed training at RAF Coningsby in April. When the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed up for the purchase of  the 72 Eurofighter Typhoons, in a deal that was publicly confirmed on 17 September 2007, it represented the most important fighter procurement in the Middle East for decades.

It will give the Royal Saudi Air Force the most modern and most capable fighter in the region, and will crown the ongoing drive to modernise the force.

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.