First Saudi Typhoon aircraft rolled out - Friday 12 June 2009

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The Roll Out Ceremony for the first two Typhoon aircraft constructed for the Royal Saudi Air Force was held at BAE Systems' Warton site yesterday.

The Ceremony, which was attended by the Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence and Aviation, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, representing the Saudi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Aviation, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, and the Minister for the Armed Forces, Mr Bill Rammell, representing the Secretary of State for Defence, included a fly past by one of the RSAF Typhoons.

This represents another significant stage in the progress of the Salam Project, which covers the supply of 72 Typhoon aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force in accordance with the Understanding Document signed by both Governments.

The Minister for the Armed Forces, Bill Rammell, said:

"This ceremony is a very significant milestone for the Salam Project. The Royal Saudi Air Force is getting a fantastic aircraft. Typhoon is a world-class, multi-role aircraft and will provide the RSAF with the defence capability it needs to meet the defence challenges of today and for the foreseeable future.

"The industrial benefits of the Project are also substantial for both nations and will help to sustain several thousand, skilled jobs in the UK and Saudi Arabia over the next ten years."

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