BAE Systems has officially rolled out the first Typhoon combat aircraft and the first Hawk advanced jet trainer for the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO). The event, held at BAE Systems’ site in Warton, Lancashire, on 15th May, was attended by His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidi, the Sultanate of Oman’s Minister Responsible For Defence Affairs (MRDA) and the Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman, Air Vice-Marshal Mattar bin Ali bin Mattar Al Obaidani.

Oman announced its decision to purchase 12 Typhoon and eight Hawk aircraft in December 2012. The Typhoon order comprises nine single-seat aircraft and three twin-seaters for training missions. Oman was the second Gulf state after Saudi Arabia to select Eurofighter. They have since been joined by Kuwait, which signed a contract for 28 aircraft in April 2016.

Deliveries of the first aircraft to Oman are due to begin later this year. They will operate alongside the RAFO fleet of 23 F-16C/Ds.