UAE opts out of Typhoon Eurofighter jet talks, BAE Systems says

British defence company BAE Systems says the UAE has opted out of talks to buy Typhoon Eurofighter jets.

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British defence company BAE Systems says the UAE has opted out of talks to buy Typhoon Eurofighter jets.

“BAE Systems and the UK government have been in discussions with the Government of the UAE regarding a range of defence and security capabilities, including the potential supply of Typhoon aircraft,” the company said last night.

“The UAE have advised that they have elected not to proceed with these proposals at this time.”

The development could see the UAE turn to Rafale fighter planes, made by French aerospace group Dassault, to replace its fleet of French Mirages.

It could also turn to Lockheed Martin, the American group producing next-generation F-35 jet fighters.

BAE said it “stands ready to work with the UAE to address any future requirements”.

The British group added it had yet to reach agreement on pricing of Typhoon jets it hopes to sell to Saudi Arabia.

“While good progress has been made, a definitive agreement has yet to be reached,” it added.

The UAE had shown an interest in ordering up to 60 Typhoon Eurofighters, which BAE builds in co-operation with European aerospace giant Eads and Italy’s Finmeccanica.

BAE and Saudi Arabia signed a £4.5 billion (Dh27.08bn) agreement in 2007 to supply the kingdom with 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.

But the contract has since faced obstacles over the cost.

* Agence France-Presse