DUBAI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Boeing ( BA ) is close to

announcing a partnership to bid for an international sales

opportunity for its T-7 trainer, company executives said on

Sunday, highlighting fast-growing demand for lightweight

military training jets.

Reuters reported in July that Boeing ( BA ) and Sweden's Saab

were in talks with Britain's BAE Systems on

teaming up on a future replacement of the UK's Hawk trainer.

Boeing ( BA ) and Saab have jointly developed the T-7 advanced

trainer for the U.S. Air Force, while Britain has said it plans

to replace its out-of-production Hawk fleet, part of which is

instantly recognisable through its Red Arrows display team.

Asked at a briefing ahead of the Dubai Airshow whether the

imminent partnership would address Britain's trainer needs,

Boeing's ( BA ) CEO of Defense, Space & Security, Steve Parker said

"Watch this space", but declined to provide further details.

Boeing ( BA ) officials said the planned co-operation announcement

would come within the next week or so and that overall trainer

demand spanned major markets including Europe and Asia.

In June, a British defence strategy review recommended that

BAE's Hawk be replaced, and the government said it would welcome

interest from UK-based suppliers.

BAE has said it has not decided whether to develop a new jet

to replace the Hawk, whose production line closed in 2000.