Kuwait to sign Eurofighter deal with Italy next week

BRUSSELS, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Defense Ministers from Kuwait and Italy are scheduled to sign a deal for Kuwait's purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft next week.

The deal was announced by Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Jarrah Al-Sabah following a meeting regarding coalition action against the Islamic State, Sunni militants also referred to as Daesh and by the acronyms ISIS and ISIL.

"Just earlier, I met my Italian collegue and she will visit Kuwait Inshallah next week to complete the signing of this deal," Al-Sabah said.

The deal for 28 of the multi-role fighters was initially scheduled to take place before the end of 2015, though negotiations on where Kuwaiti pilots would train pushed the deal back. Defense News reported the deal was delayed further in early February.

The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft is a twin-engine fighter that can be equipped with up to six missiles in addition to a cannon with a targeting pod. The jet was designed to have enhanced swing-role capabilities and used for both close and beyond visual range combat.

The fighter is primarily used by U.K., German, Italian and Spanish air forces. Over 400 European companies are estimated to be involved in the production of the aircraft.