BAE Systems wins $23m Oman F-16 deal

BAE Systems has said it has received a contract valued at nearly $23m to provide F-16 support equipment, test systems, and spares to the government of Oman.

The European defence firm said the contract continues the its strong global position to deliver the right systems and expertise to support F-16 aircraft operated by US allies.

"We are pleased that Oman has again called upon BAE Systems to deliver the systems and services they require to affordably achieve their mission readiness," said Carl Huncharek, programme director for BAE Systems.

"Our deep understanding and single point of contact for their sustainment equipment needs is why we continue to see such strong repeat business."

In December, UK Prime Minister David Cameron visited Oman to seal a deal for BAE Systems to sell 12 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets and eight Hawk 128 advanced jet trainers.

The contract is part of a drive to secure sales of more than 100 aircraft. According to a Bloomberg report, the deal is valued at £2.5bn ($4bn). Deliveries are expected to commence in 2017.

Oman becomes the seventh country in the world, and the second in the Middle East, to operate the Typhoon, joining the air forces of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Saudi Arabia.

Oman currently operates Jaguar fighter aircraft and trains pilots on an earlier variant of the BAE Systems Hawk.

Middle East sales are seen as critical to BAE as defence spending slumps in its two largest markets, the US and Britain.

BAE Systems has delivered more than 25,000 support equipment and test systems to more than 24 countries worldwide.