UPDATE 1-Britain confirms Saudi Arabia Eurofighter deal

(Adds comment by BAE)

LONDON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed on Monday it had signed a deal involving the export of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets to Saudia Arabia and what it described as "substantial" logistical and training packages.

A Saudi news report citing the Saudi Arabian defence ministry earlier in the day said a deal for the aircraft had been signed for the jets -- excluding weapons and maintenance -- worth 4.43 billion pounds ($8.84 billion).

"The Government of Saudi Arabia has reached agreement with the UK Government to purchase 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft," the UK ministry said, adding the defence cooperation programme would be known as "Project Salam".

"This agreement will be supported by substantial logistical and training packages, including the opportunity for RAF and Royal Saudi Air Force aircrews and ground technicians to train alongside each other in the UK," it said.

BAE Systems BA.L, the prime contractor on the deal, said in a separate statement: "Negotiations relating to the principal terms of the agreement have been successfully concluded."

It described it as a milestone in its "strategy to continue to develop Saudi Arabia as a key home market with substantial employment and investment" in Saudi Arabia's economy.

Industry sources ahead of the deal told Reuters that it would likely take a matter of weeks for BAE to finalise a contract once the state-to-state pact was sealed.