UAE Fighter, Trainer and Air Defense Buys Still Undecided | Aviation International News

UAE Fighter, Trainer and Air Defense Buys Still Undecided

Held in Abu Dhabi, the IDEX defense exhibition is traditionally the platform for the United Arab Emirates to announce major deals.

Alenia Aermacchi received a $29.4 million contract from the UAE for four MB339 trainers, likely destined for its new Al Fursan national aerobatic display team.

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

March 4, 2011

Held in Abu Dhabi, the IDEX defense exhibition is traditionally the platform for the United Arab Emirates to announce major deals. But apart from a possible buy of Predator UAVs and an H-60 upgrade (see separate stories), there was nothing on the UAE’s big-ticket items at last week’s event. Even the much-anticipated deal for the THAAD high-altitude air defense system has not been finalized. Lockheed Martin officials noted that a final review is to be undertaken this spring.

The hottest subject in the UAE is a new multi-role fighter to replace the Mirage 2000-9, for which the Dassault Rafale has been front-runner, with Boeing’s Super Hornet as a strong contender. A UAE spokesperson noted that “evaluations of fighters are ongoing,” but added that the Mirage 2000 is still “a modern fighter.” This was underlined by a $30.6 million contract for Dassault to upgrade the Mirage’s weapon system.

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