BAE Systems expects to conclude with the government of Saudi Arabia, a long-awaited multi-billion dollar contract for the supply of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets by the end of the current year. BAE, part of the consortium along with Airbus and Finmeccanica, which builds the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, has been in negotiations since 2007 with Saudi Arabia over the order of 72 jets worth around £4.5 billion.
BAE believes that the Saudi Air Force could place an order for a further 48 to 72 planes. With the shrinking of defence budgets in the US and Europe, international sales to countries such as Saudi Arabia have become increasingly important to BAE which has made exports and niche markets such as cyber security its priority.