When they say that it’ll be produced in Saudi Arabia, does that include the individual parts (e.g. radar, wings, engines), or is it just assembly of the aircraft from those parts? :confused:

I was under the impression it’s just an assembly line, otherwise we’d just have sold the design basically. All we’d get would be some training contracts. If they are making everything themselves then they wouldn’t even need us for maintenance and support contracts and we’d get almost nothing, which isn’t the case in reality.

Think of it more like how the UK purchased Apache, kits sent to a local assembly line.

According to the following source Saudi-Arabia seems to be interested in procuring another 72 Typhoons, if the current order goes well.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1193766/BAE-line-new-Saudi-fighter-deal.html

Sounds interesting, though this might take some time and as usual everything might be subject to change.

That’s been mentioned since the first deal was signed. It might happen, chances are actually not bad, as long as the oil doesn’t dry up next Tuesday. They’ll be locally produced though, still a good opportunity though.

Thats a fair point. just a 76mm and a helicopter then?

C3 i’d say:
– hangar for helicopter/special forces/MCM. + Crane.
– 2 x 30mm guns
– 1 x slightly larger gun.

It’s cheap, still meets all the needs and isn’t too over the top for the role.

Obviously if I had the choice i’d choose the Venator with the CAMM, then it effectively can double as a frigate/C2 if needed, but I don’t run the MoD so i’m trying to come up with likely suggestions.

I cant imagine that intergrating an Sylver 35 would be that expensive and add that much to the price of a C3. 8 Cells that are quad packed with CAMM would be fantastic.

A 76mm OTO on the front and room for a lynx and off we go.

Really would like to see 15 or so of these produced. When the next Labour government comes in after conservatives you can bet the first thing they will do is begin selling off the fleet again.

I think it would be fairly expensive. It certainly would be more expensive and complex than they want C3 to be. It won’t happen and I don’t really want it to. If a C3 needs CAMM then somewhere along the way, someone has cocked up and sent either the wrong ship or sent it too far from the fleet.

I hope the maintainers like to clean the mud off Talarion’s EO turret. Placing it behind the main gear is very poor planning.

How muddy are your runways over in LA?

I’m yet to see a paved runway that gets muddy often.

I like the look of this UAV. The Predator/Reapers are ugly by comparison. The only think that’ll beat it is Taranis.