Breaking news
Kuwait and Italy reportedly in talks for the purchase of up to 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft.
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World Defense & Security News - Kuwait & Italy
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| Kuwait and Italy reportedly in talks for the purchase of up to 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft | |||
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According to The Wall Street Journal, Kuwait and the Italian Ministry of Defense started discussions about the purchase of up to 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft, citing a person familiar with the matter. Talks started May 31 and representatives of the Italian Defense Ministry, Air Force and Alenia Aermacchi are in Kuwait participating, the source said.
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 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighter aircraft flying over Abu Dhabi |
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The deal could cover the sale of two squadrons of fighter planes, about 24 to 28 of the twin-engine jets, as well as pilot training and other items, the person said. The value of the deal could exceed €4 billion ($4.51 billion). However, despite the start of talks, a deal may not materialize in the end.
Officials for the Kuwaiti government couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. The Italian government declined to comment. Kuwait, which has a fleet of 39 older-model Boeing Co. F/A-18 Hornet jets, has been evaluating replacement options for about two years. Kuwait also has evaluated other fighters and considered buying Boeing’s newer F/A-18 Super Hornet. Middle East governments have sealed a flurry of combat jet purchases in recent years. Qatar, in May, said that it would buy 36 fighter planes from France’s Dassault Aviation SA. The deal came after Egypt agreed to become the first export customer for the French Rafale jet. Military tension between the Gulf states and Iran, along with the rise of Islamic State, has heightened interest among countries in the region to bolster their armed forces. The Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter built by the Eurofighter consortium that includes Finmeccanica SpA, Airbus Group SE, and BAE Systems PLC, is already operational in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia bought the plane through a deal with the U.K. Oman also has signed up to introduce the jet. Contract negotiations for Middle East combat jet purchases can be protracted, and it is unclear when any Kuwaiti contract may be signed. A deal with Kuwait would be important for the Eurofighter consortium after a string of setbacks in the export market. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, and India have opted for other planes. The United Arab Emirates also considered a Typhoon purchase, though those talks faltered. The Eurofighter group of companies has been pushing to upgrade the jet to make it more competitive in the export market against its European and U.S. rivals. |
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