RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- A local repair capability for avionic systems used on Typhoon fighters of the Saudi air force is on the drawing board.
BAE Systems Saudi Arabia reports that it invested $17.3 million with Advanced Electronics Systems of Saudi Arabia and Rockwell Collins Deutschland to establish the repair unit in the Saudi company's facility in Riyadh.
The unit, beginning in 2014, will be able to repair the Typhoon's cockpit interface unit and interface processor unit.
BAE Saudi Arabia said it plans to invest additional funds this year to give the Saudi company the capability to repair other Typhoon avionics systems.
"BAE Systems is proud of its partnerships with the RSAF and Saudi Industry, and these investments reinforce BAE Systems allegiance to industrialization which will see significant elements of the Typhoon aircraft's repair capabilities moving to Saudi Arabia, providing long-term employment of Saudi Nationals in a multitude of technical roles in the Typhoon supply chain," said Jim McDowell, the managing director and chief executive officer of BAE Systems Saudi Arabia.
