Tunisian Police SF

In 1960 Tunisian troops served with the United National Peacekeeping Force in the Congo. In 1961 clashes occurred with French forces based at Bizerte. Tunisian casualties numbered about 1,000, but the French evacuated the base after subsequent negotiations with the Tunisian Government.

Algerian Naval Industry

Djebel Chenoua class corvette El Kirch (353) built by ECRN in Mers-el-Kebir armed by 4 C-802 SACCADE anti ship missile.

El kebir patrol boat build by algerian shipbuilding.

8-10 commissioned, 2-3 being built. First 2 built in UK, remainder in Algeria. Sometimes called the El Yadekh class.

Saudi Arabia's changing military industry

"Saudization" will reduce the number of jobs for foreigners in the long term, but prospects for trainers and managers look good.

The nature of military aerospace in Saudi Arabia is changing rapidly, and this is naturally having a considerable effect on the aviation job market in the Kingdom.

As the largest and wealthiest nation in the Arabian peninsula, Saudi Arabia has built up large and modern armed forces, and historically employed large numbers of foreignpilots, engineers and managers to support and operate its aircraft and equipment.

US military aircraft in service include Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft and F-15 fighters and fighter-bombers, and these have led to a major presence by some US companies, most notably Boeing, which provides in-country service, training and support programmes for the above aircraft, as well as for the large number of Boeing jetliners in commercial service in the Kingdom. Other US companies, including Northrop Grumman, provide training services to the Saudi armed forces.

But the big beast among foreign companies in Saudi Arabia is BAE Systems, which has had a presence in the Kingdom since 1973, initially supporting Lightning and Strikemaster aircraft. BAE Systems was again appointed the prime contractor In 1985, when a new government-to-government agreement (known as Al Yamamah) saw the UK supplying Tornado, Hawk and Pilatus PC-9 aircraft (and later minehunter ships) for the Royal Saudi Air Force and Royal Saudi Naval Force, and supporting these in service.

Saudi Arabia remains the world's leading oil exporter, but revenues are now dropping in real terms. Saudi Arabia is therefore trying to diversify its economy, and, through a process of "Saudization", to reduce its dependence on foreign workers. Saudi Arabia is increasingly unwilling to purchase overseas goods and services, and is increasingly demanding that its suppliers use Saudi resources and people. Further commitment to the transfer of technology and expertise is expected.

In September 2007, when the UK and Saudi governments signed a further agreement (this time code-named Project Salam, based on the supply of the Eurofighter Typhoon), this formed part of a new Saudi-British Defence Co-operation Programme, inaugurated at the start of that year. This was intended to provide the platform for a new partnership between the two governments as they worked together to modernise the Saudi armed forces while developing the Saudi industrial base.

The previous Al Yamamah arrangements have also been gathered up into the new Defence Co-operation Programme, with increasing emphasis on developing local capabilities and participation.

BAE Systems' aspiration is to turn its operations in Saudi Arabia into what it calls a "home market", with local development, production and maintenance - becoming as much a Saudi company in Saudi Arabia as BAE Systems Australia is an Australian entity, and establishing a real engineering and manufacturing base in the kingdom.

In pursuit of this aim, BAE Systems directly employs 4,700 people in the Kingdom (more than half of them Saudis), making the company one of the largest private sector employers of Saudis. The proportion and number of local employees has risen steadily: in 1995, it was 700 (15%), while today it is 2,400. The company has also invested in local companies, contributing another 700 local jobs. The company has instituted a programme to train Saudi aircraft technicians, and is working to bring Saudi nationals into management and technical leadership positions.

The Saudi companies in which BAE has invested include the Jeddah-based Aircraft Accessories and Components, which now overhauls Tornado landing gear, and Advanc­ed Electronics in Riyadh, which manufactures weapons interface units and upgrades Tornado main computers. BAE Systems' IT operations have been outsourced to International Systems Engineering, in Riyadh, and the Saudi Maintenance and Supply Chain Management joint venture provides logistical support.

Final Assembly

A cornerstone of BAE Systems' activities in Saudi Arabia lies in its relationship with Alsalam Aircraft. Alsalam (which also works on the F-15 Eagle, E-3 Sentry and other aircraft) has provided programmed depot maintenance for the Tornado since 1997 and is expected to perform the second phase of the Royal Saudi Air Force's Tornado Capability Sustainment Programme upgrade. Looking ahead, Alsalam is "under consideration" for the key role of the final assembly of the last 48 RSAF Typhoons, which will follow the first 24 aircraft delivered from the Warton assembly line.

All of this means a real change to the type of jobs offered in Saudi Arabia by companies like BAE Systems. Where possible, foreign contractors are being replaced by Saudi nationals, which will mean fewer foreign workers. Flightline jobs, for example, are being filled by Saudis, though there is still, for the moment, a need for experienced managers and supervisors, and 'trainers' who can provide locals with the required skills.

On the flying side, jobs will similarly flow to Saudis. Some instructional positions on the Cessna 172 and PC-9 are already beingfulfilled by Saudis, and locals will take a growing proportion of flying and instructional positions over the coming years.

Saudi defence industry strategy takes shape

Plans to develop military aircraft production in Saudi Arabia are moving ahead following the Kingdom's agreement to purchase Typhoon fighter jets from BAE Systems. The new deal calls for most of the aircraft to be assembled in Saudi Arabia.

In March, Defence and Aviation Minister Crown Prince Sultan laid the foundation stone at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Eastern Province for a new centre to update and assemble systems for Saudi military aircraft.

The complex will be developed on a 300,000sqkm site will include a range of hangars, stores for hazardous materials, workshops, fuel storage, a water desalination plant and power station as well as other utilities and infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to purchase 72 Typhoon Eurofighter in September 2007. The purchase, for which BAE Systems is prime contractor, is likely to be valued at up to $40bn or more in the long term as a result of additional support contracts.

The aircraft purchase, designated Project Salam, follows on from the Al Yamamah agreement forged between the UK and the Kingdom in 1985 that has involved the supply of Tornado fighters, Hawk and Pilatus trainer aircraft, warships, munitions, training and support services.

The agreement, which has generated an estimated $75bn of business for BAE Systems and associated sub-contractors, is now largely completed apart from ongoing support.

Its successor, Project Salam is to be supported by substantial logistical and training packages' including the opportunity for British and Saudi air crews and ground technicians to train alongside each other in the UK.

This will deepen the UK's involvement in the operational capability of the Saudi air force bringing the latter's training standards on a par with those of one of Nato's leading members.

BAE Systems is also committed to developing a 'home market' operation in the Kingdom by creating an indigenous industrial capability for both local consumption and export markets.

Following delivery of the first 24 Typhoon aircraft to the Kingdom over the next 18 months, plans are moving ahead to complete the final assembly of the remaining 48 Typhoon aircraft in Saudi Arabia.

Negotiations are believed to be under way that would see an additional 24-48 Typhoons assembled locally.

BAE Systems is already one the largest private sector employers in the Kingdom with over 4,600 personnel, half of whom are Saudis.

The company says that the kingdom's economic reform programme and new laws attracting foreign direct investment have made it easier to plan for a more advanced stage involving both equipment assembly and original equipment manufacturing in addition to repair and maintenance.

Key partnership organisations in Saudi Arabia are said to be Alsalam Aircraft, Advanced Electronics, Aircraft Accessories and Components and Saudi Development and Training. A logistics management operation is being set up and Granada Enterprises, 'a property management vehicle,' has also been established it says.

BAE believes that as it develops its own engineering capability in the Kingdom, the support of international associates and suppliers is also drawn in. 'This ability to act as a magnet for further growth is a key outcome of sun-rise industries. In turn, attracting component suppliers in the defence sector spawns further knowledge and technology transfer.'

Hawk in Royal Bahraini Airforce

The BAE Systems Hawk is a British single engine, advanced jet trainer aircraft. It first flew in 1974 as the Hawker Siddeley Hawk. The Hawk is used by the Royal Air Force, and other air forces, as either a trainer or a low-cost combat aircraft. The Hawk is still in production with over 900 Hawks sold to 18 customers around the world.