The Eurofighter consortium is keen to reopen talks with the UAE in a new bid to sell its Typhoon fighter jets.
More than a year ago a deal for up to 60 of its aircraft fell through, the firm’s chief executive said yesterday.
“At this point in time there are no more discussions [with the UAE],” said Alberto Gutierrez.
“We are ready to offer our proposal.
“We are in a much better [position] compared to where we were.”
The £6 billion (Dh33.87bn) deal with the UAE to buy up to 60 Typhoons collapsed in December 2013. The planes were supposed to replace the country’s ageing Mirage jets.
Seven nations, including Saudi Arabia and Oman, have ordered Eurofighter jets, which are manufactured by the UK’s BAE Systems, France’s Airbus group and Italy’s Finmeccanica.
Eurofighter is holding talks with Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, among other countries, for more Typhoon deals.
“Competition is tougher and tougher in this market. We are in competition in several countries.
“Of course we are extremely optimistic,” said Mr Gutierrez. “Our forecast is of course we will get something.”
BAE Systems, which owns 33 per cent of the Eurofighter programme, finalised in February last year a pricing deal with Saudi Arabia for 72 Typhoons, ending several years of uncertainty over the purchase.
The United Kingdom and Saudi governments had agreed price escalation terms relating to buying the aircraft as part of the Salam programme, originally signed between the two governments in 2005.
BAE and Saudi Arabia had signed a £4.5bn agreement in 2007 to supply the kingdom with 72 jets.
Separately, Eurofighter unveiled on Sunday a new enhanced capability for its fighter jets that will allow the deployment of multiple precision guided air-to-surface weapons. The value of the contract is €200 million (Dh831.7m) and it will be delivered by 2017.
Eurofighter hopes this new capability will help it win more deals.
dalsaadi@thenational.ae
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