DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s official news agency says the kingdom has signed a deal with the United Kingdom valued at $3 billion to buy air force trainer jets.
The Saudi Press Agency quoted an unnamed defense official Wednesday as saying the deal also includes simulators, ground equipment, training devices, spare parts and technical manuals.
The report did not identify the type of aircraft. Saudi Arabia has been in talks with British defense manufacturer BAE Systems to purchase the company’s Hawk trainers.
The U.S. late last year finalized the sale of $30 billion worth of F-15SA fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, which is bulking up its defenses against regional rivals including Iran.