Saudi Tornados back in action after upgrades

The upgrading of the Royal Saudi Air Force Tornados has been completed. The final aircraft being returned being photographed at Malta on its route back to the Kingdom

The BAE Systems end of year investor presentation confirmed that “Under the Saudi British Defence Co-operation Programme (SBDCP), orders totalling £3.4bn were awarded for support through to 2016, including the provision of manpower, logistics and training to the RSAF…. Under the TSP, the upgrade of the RSAF Tornado fleet is complete, with all of the contracted aircraft having been delivered back into the RSAF fleet. Delivery of Storm Shadow missiles to the RSAF under the TSP is progressing in line with the agreed programme schedule.“

The RSAF fleet of Tornado low-level, medium-range strike fighters will be receiving MBDA’s stealthy Storm Shadow medium range cruise missiles, and the MBDA/Boeing Brimstone anti-armour missile.
The upgrade programme is believed to give the Tornado fleet active life until at least 2020.
Two of the new Saudi Arabian Typhoons have also left Warton, near Manchester UK to join the RSAF fleet. They too are expected to make a technical stop in Malta today.


Source: News - 25 May 2013

Photo: The Royal Saudi Air Force Panavia Tornado IDS Fighter Aircraft (Photo by Files)


(25.05.2013)