But here again, a desire to keep a second-source European weapons provider going may prevail, particularly since the Eurofighter production line will probably close in 2018 if it doesn’t get this order. For decades , the Arab Gulf countries have been important markets for Western combat aircraft manufacturers . The Mideast is the single largest export fighter market , accounting for 40 % of $ 38bn of Teal Group ’s $ 130.5bn of fighter sales for 2015 - 2024 , including weapons , support and upgrade work . Over the past year , there have been profound political changes and diplomatic shifts in the region – the linked main article gives a neat summary of the changes , together with a product by product assessment of the impact of these changes .
For decades , the Arab Gulf countries have been important markets for Western combat aircraft manufacturers . The Mideast is the single largest export fighter market , accounting for 40 % of $ 38bn of Teal Group ’s $ 130.5bn of fighter sales for 2015 - 2024 , including weapons , support and upgrade work . Over the past year , there have been profound political changes and diplomatic shifts in the region – the linked main article gives a neat summary of the changes , together with a product by product assessment of the impact of these changes .