Saudi Arabia signs $3B defense deal

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 24 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia signed a $3 billion defense deal to buy Hawk fighter jets from British defense group BAE Systems to train its pilots, officials said.

The Saudi Press Agency quoted an unnamed defense official Thursday as saying the deal also includes simulators, ground equipment, training devices, spare parts and technical manuals.

Saudi officials said the aircraft will help fully qualify Saudi pilots "to use fourth-generation jet fighters."

The Saudi Gazette said BAE Systems confirmed it had been awarded a contract.