Air defence scheme

This file concerns the Saudi Arabian Air Defence Scheme (SAADS), where the Saudi Arabian Government signed a letter of intent, agreeing to buy aircrafts, training, maintenance and military equipment from three British companies overseen by HMG. These companies, known collectively as the Saudi Arabian Defence Consortium (SADC), are: British Aircraft Corporation Limited (BAC), the Associated Electrical Industries (AEI) and Airwork Services Limited. It contains:

• Notes on Lord Caldecote's (Robin Inskip) visit to Saudi Arabia in 1969, covering topics such as custom problems, airfield aids, the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) and the Technical Training Institute at Dhahran
• Memorandum by F Kemp stating that the Saudis are refusing to give Airwork pilots flying time at Dhahran until HMG arrange conversion courses in Canada and the US
• Memorandum by W E Llewellyn discussing the loan of two RAF flying instructors for employment at the Saudi Arabian Lightning Conversion Unit in Dhahran
• Minutes from a meeting regarding flying training charges in support of military aircraft exports
• Correspondence on the Saudi Government's discontentment with the SADC
• Memoranda discussing the future of Lightning aircraft production
• Telegram concerning the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) administering an attack in Khamis Mushait
• Memorandum by E G Lowton discussing the contract for part 2 of the Consortium Construction Program