The Tempest will be one of the most state-of-the-art stealth fighter jets in the world [Getty]
Saudi Arabia could play a role in the development of a cutting-edge stealth fighter, currently being designed by Japanese, British, and Italian aircraft makers, in a move that could be a massive boost for the kingdom’s developing defence industry.
The Global Combat Air Programme is set to design a sixth-generation aircraft that will replace the UK and Italy’s Eurofighter jet and Japan’s Mitsubishi combat aircraft, both of which are becoming increasingly obsolete with the new technology entering the military field.
The Japan Times reported that the three countries are considering bringing Riyadh into the initiative, but only when the project is well underway.
“There is no preclusion in having Saudi Arabia join the programme, but we first have to define certain criteria and clarify all the points,” a source told The Japan Times.
This means addressing issues such as tech-sharing and Riyadh’s involvement would need to he approved by all members of the Global Combat Air Programme.
Members reportedly want Saudi Arabia to gain some experience from producing the Eurofighter before committing to the new initiative.
There is also another unnamed Middle East country interested in playing a role in the development and production of the aircraft, which will be known as the Tempest in the UK and is due to enter service by 2035.
While the programme is still on track with a prototype set to be tested in the next two or three years, some issues are emerging, such as a reluctance from the British weapons maker to share industry secrets that will be critical to the development of the next-generation stealth fighter.
Saudi Arabia has made the growth of its defence industry a key part of Vision 2030 economic plan to wean the kingdom off its reliance on revenues from natural resources.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman helped launch the state-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) in 2017, which is expected to contribute $3.7 billion to the Saudi economy and create 40,000 jobs.
SAMI has been working with Russian, Turkish and other weapons makers to develop its industry, part of a huge investment in its military.
Saudi Arabia – traditionally a big spender on weapons, but not a maker – is now manufacturing its own drone and establishing one of the biggest munitions factories in the world.
