Aircraft
Dubai Airshow Wrap-Up: Defense Stories
The Dubai Airshow moved to a new venue but looked much the same. Heavy rain forced cancellation of the last day. (Photo: Chris Pocock)
The Dubai Airshow moved to a new venue but looked much the same. Heavy rain forced cancellation of the last day. (Photo: Chris Pocock)

The heavy rain that forced organizers to cancel the last day of the Dubai Airshow was a metaphor for the main defense story of the week. The prospect of the UAE ordering a new fighter–specifically the Eurofighter Typhoon–had been talked up by UK officials in particular, and reinforced by an eve-of-show visit by the British Prime Minister. But the former UAE Air Force commander dampened speculation by telling AIN that the Emirate is in no hurry to conclude a deal. However, this absence of urgency could ultimately help the Typhoon, which is making progress toward multi-role capability. The French were keeping quiet about the Rafale’s prospects both here and elsewhere in the Gulf, but Boeing was pushing the Advanced version of the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

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