For decades, the Arab Gulf countries have been important customers for Western combat aircraft manufacturers. Arab countries purchasing European fighters, particularly Rafales, would face no serious risk of a spares and support embargo. The Mideast is the single largest export fighter market, accounting for 29% of $38bn of Teal Group’s $130.5bn export fighter forecast for 2015-2024, excluding weapons, support and upgrade work. Saudi Arabia has also become a major customer in recent years, with its purchase of 36 F-15 fighters from Lockheed Martin last year.
For decades, the Arab Gulf countries have been important customers for Western combat aircraft manufacturers. The Mideast is the single largest export fighter market, accounting for 29% of $38bn of Teal Group’s $130.5bn export fighter forecast for 2015-2024, excluding weapons, support and upgrade work. Saudi Arabia has also become a major customer in recent years, with its purchase of 36 F-15 fighters from Lockheed Martin last year.