Dunlop Aircraft Tyres profits from £1.9bn Saudia Arabia deal

Birmingham firm Dunlop Aircraft Tyres is to benefit from BAE Systems’ £1.9 billion deal to sell Hawk training jets to Saudi Arabia.

Twenty-two Hawks will be built in Lancashire and supplied with tyres made by Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in Castle Bromwich.

The company, the world’s only specialist aircraft tyre manufacturer and retreader, already provides tyres for the 45 Hawks already in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force.

Each aircraft uses three tyres – two on the main gear and one on the nose gear – and once the Saudis take delivery of the new aircraft the country will be the world’s second largest operator of the type after the UK.

“Much has been said about the benefit of this deal with Saudi Arabia to the workers at BAE Systems,” said Ian Edmondson, chairman, Dunlop Aircraft Tyres. “But the good news extends into the supply chain.

“Not only will we provide three tyres to each aeroplane as it leaves the factory but we look forward to supporting them for many years to come during their service in Saudi Arabia.”