Kuwait: Landmark Typhoon deal

In a deal as important for the European defence industry as it is for Gulf security, Kuwait has signed a memorandum of understanding to buy 28 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, in a deal understood to be worth up to $9bn. The jets are manufactured by a consortium of Italy’s Finmeccanica, BAE Systems and Airbus Group. The Kuwait Air Force is expected to receive new-build, third-tranche, swing-role versions of the Typhoon; the planes will have electronic-scanned radar and a weapons package.