Air force: supply of Canberra bombers and supply of Lightning interceptors

This file relates to the supply of aircraft to Saudi Arabia. It contains correspondence relating to:

• Report from a representative of the British Aircraft Co-operation (BAC) in Saudi Arabia on the American Embassy's backing of American sales of the latest types of military aircraft to Saudi Arabia (21)
• Potential supply of Lightning aircraft to Saudi Arabia by the UK (22, 32, 34)
• Potential supply of Canberra bombers to Saudi Arabia by the UK, including a report of a meeting of the Strategic Exports Committee (SEC) [original document removed and destroyed] and a memorandum by Lord Dundee [original document removed and destroyed] (23-24, 28)
• Agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia on defence and the loan of aircraft [enclosed] (25)
• Representative from English Electric giving the Saudis a non-confidential booklet on the Lightning aircraft (26)
• Fight aircraft available to Saudi Arabia (28)
• Unlikely event that the Saudis will purchase Lightning aircraft (29)
• Requirement for training by the RAF before pilots can fly the Lightning aircraft (31)
• Decision that an export licence for the sale of Canberra bombers to Saudi Arabia should be refused and a note to the Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home informing him of the decision and rationale (30, 33, 36)
• Suggestion that the BAC should be given information about what will be licenced before they begin talks with Saudi Arabia and that the UK's willingness to provide fighters should be mentioned to the Saudi Government (35)
• Suggestion by J Coates of the Ministry of Aviation that if Lightning aircraft were to be sold to Saudi Arabia then the supply of some previously refused equipment should be re-examined (37)
• Necessity of establishing the position of America on the provision of Canberra aircraft before making a decision, and the suggestion that if the UK were to refuse an export licence, the US should also inform the Saudi Government that they too would not supply bombers (38, 40)
• Draft memorandum to the SEC by Lord Dundee [enclosed] regarding the sale of Canberras to Saudi Arabia, the BAC's claims of government support and the potential issue of competition from America, France and Sweden (39)