Kuwait to
Sign Deal for 28 Eurofighters

Kuwait is
expected to sign a deal to buy 28 Eurofighter aircraft on Jan. 31, according  to an Italian Ministry of Defence source speaking
to Defense News. “Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti has been invited by
Kuwait to attend the signing for 28 Eurofighter aircraft on Sunday in Kuwait,” Defense
News quoted the source. Italy, which is one of the four industrial partners on
the Eurofighter program alongside the UK, Spain and Germany, has taken the lead
in marketing the aircraft to Kuwait. One senior Kuwaiti Military officials said
the decision came after repeated US delays regarding the acquisition of a new
fleet of Boeing F-18 Super Hornets. “We were trying to acquire the F-18
Super Hornets and replace the existing fleet of F-18s with Super Hornets and
Eurofighter Typhoons,” he said. 
“However, we cannot wait for the American approval and need to update
our Air Force now.” A memorandum of understanding was first signed by
Italy and Kuwait in September, and a final signature on the contract was
initially expected by the end of 2015. The Kuwaiti parliament was required to
sign off on the funding. Kuwait has agreed to buy 22 single-seat and six
twin-seat Typhoons in a government-to-government agreement. Italian firm
Finmeccanica has been handling the industrial side of the sales push. Industry
sources have said the deal, which could be worth up to US $ 4.35 billion but Defense News reported
as US $ 8.7 billion.