A GBP1.5 billion (USD2.5 billion) upgrade and sustain-ment programme is intended to keep the Royal Saudi Air Force's (RSAF's) Panavia Tornado strike aircraft fleet operational until 2025. The details of the deal, signed by BAE Systems and the RSAF in December 2013, were revealed to IHS Jane's by defence sources in the Middle East earlier this month. Known as the Tornado Sustain-ment Programme Phase Three (TSP3), the work is intended to bring the RSAF Tornado fleet up to a configuration similar to the UK Royal Air Force's Tornado GR.4 aircraft. This includes integration of Raytheon Paveway IV dual-mode satellite/laser-guided bombs and advanced targeting pods, as well as the installation of Link 16 datalinks and other network connectivity capabilities.
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