UK defence contractor BAE Systems recently presented the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) with the first Eurofighter Typhoon and Hawk advanced jet trainer aircraft for its fleet, during a ceremony held in the UK.

An invited audience of more than 100 delegates witnessed the event at BAE Systems’ site in Warton, Lancashire, including Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidi, Oman’s Minister Responsible For Defence Affairs (MRDA) and the Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman, Air Vice-Marshal Mattar bin Ali bin Mattar Al Obaidani.

The event was followed by a fly-past of a Royal Air Force of Oman Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, said a statement from the company.

Chris Boardman, managing director, BAE Systems Military Air and Information, said: “We are privileged and honoured to be able to celebrate the completion of the first Eurofighter Typhoon and Hawk aircraft in the presence of the Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs (Oman) and the commander and representatives of the Royal Air Force of Oman.”

“Our company has a long and proud history of working in Oman, which has been built over more than half a century. Today’s event represents a further strengthening of that special relationship,” he said.

“We believe that, in Eurofighter Typhoon and Hawk, Oman has added the most advanced combat jet and proven training aircraft available in the world to its military portfolio. We look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Defence as deliveries of the first aircraft begin,” he added.

Oman announced its decision to purchase 12 Eurofighter Typhoon and eight Hawk aircraft in December 2012. Deliveries of the first aircraft are due to begin later this year, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service