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Eurofighter may Sell 100 Aircraft in Gulf

AMMAN/LONDON — Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, builder of the Typhoon fighter jet, predicted it will sell 50 to 100 additional warplanes in the Gulf as regional tensions encourage governments to upgrade their air forces.

“We are working with several countries,” said Enzo Casolini, chief executive officer of the Hallbergmoos, Germany- based venture, during a press briefing at the Dubai Air Show on Tuesday. The venture is owned by London-based BAE Systems Plc, Rome-based Finmeccanica SpA and Paris- and Munich-based European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are leading a drive to upgrade their air forces, as well as missile-defense and naval forces, spurred by Iran’s military buildup. The spending creates opportunities for US and European defense companies.

The Middle East will account for one third of Eurofighters in operation in 20 years, Casolini said. He declined to specify how long it would take to sell as many as 100 new planes.

Casolini said the Saudis may double their existing order for Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes. Saudi Arabia is already buying 72 warplanes under a £4.4 billion ($7.4 billion) 2007 contract. The world’s largest oil exporter has taken delivery of six planes with two more scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year, Casolini said.

Qatar, the UAE and Oman have also shown interest in the warplane, and Casolini said he thinks he will be able to add “another country name on the map” soon.

France is confident the UAE will proceed with an order for 60 Rafale jet fighter planes from Dassault Aviation SA, the French Air Force’s chief of staff said in a November 14 interview.

Eurofighter expects to post revenue of €4 billion ($6 billion) for 2009 and sees an order backlog of €25 billion at the end of the year, said Casolini, who was named CEO in May. —