UK signs Eurofighter jets deal with Saudis

By Andrew Hammond and Jason Neely

RIYADH/LONDON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and Britain announced a multi-billion-pound deal for 72 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets on Monday despite controversy that had threatened to scupper the pact.

Saudi Arabia said the two governments had agreed a 4.43 billion pound deal for 72 jets while Britain said they would also forge "substantial" logistical and training agreements.

The deal including weapons could be worth up to 20 billion pounds to prime contractor BAE Systems and firms spread across Europe as well as in Saudi Arabia, analysts say.

The contract was signed last Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's official news agency SPA said citing to a Defence Ministry official.

A source familiar with the process told Reuters last week that Defence Minister Prince Sultan would meet King Abdullah on Tuesday to seek approval for the pact.

The Ministry of Defence initially declined to comment on the Saudi announcement before issuing one of its own hours later.

"The Government of Saudi Arabia has reached agreement with the UK Government to purchase 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft," it said, adding the broad bilateral agreement would be known as "Project Salam".

"This agreement will be supported by substantial logistical and training packages, including the opportunity for RAF and Royal Saudi Air Force aircrews and ground technicians to train alongside each other in the UK," it said.