Home World Europe BAE Nears Signing $800m Saudi Hawk Deal UK defence firm BAE is close to signing a deal to sell up to 30 Hawk aircraft to Saudi Arabia, according to reports. by Reuters May 7, 2012 BAE Systems is close to sealing a 500 million ($808 million) deal to sell up to 30 Hawk trainer aircraft to Saudi Arabia, the Sunday Times reported. The sale would provide some welcome relief for the defence giant, which is battling against shrinking defence budgets in Europe and America. Saudi Arabia has ordered 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from BAE and needs the Hawks to train its pilots. The order is expected to be finalised within the next few months but it is likely to come too late to save the 845 jobs at BAE’s Hawk factory in Brough, Yorkshire, which is set to close. BAE is Britain’s biggest manufacturing company, with 100,000 employees around the globe. It is building two aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy and is a key partner on the Joint Strike Fighter, the world’s biggest military aircraft programme. BAE declined comment when contacted by Reuters. Tags Breaking News World 0 Comments You might also like 19 injured after fire breaks out in a building in Abu Dhabi Two killed and over 100 injured in Abu Dhabi gas explosion The world offers tributes to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan In pics: UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan with world leaders