UAE armed forces plans to acquire 5 aircrafts

Emirati armed forces intends to purchase two Globaleye (G 6000-SRSS) early warning and control aircrafts from Swedish company SAAB, three refueling aircrafts type (330MRTT) from Airbus.

CAIRO - The United Arab Emirates armed forces announced on Tuesday plans to buy two Globaleye for early warning and control aircrafts, and three other refueling aircrafts, state news agency (WAM) said.

WAM added that the deputy executive director of the military committee organising Dubai Airshow 2019 confirmed during a news conference that the armed forces intends to purchase two Globaleye (G 6000-SRSS) early warning and control aircrafts from the Swedish company SAAB, in addition to three refueling aircrafts type (330MRTT) from Airbus, in a snub to Boeing.

Stockholm-based Saab said the order’s potential value was $1.018 billion although final negotiations had yet to take place and a contract amendment needed to be signed.

Saab’s chief executive Micael Johansson said he was “delighted” by the proposed new order.

“It could not have been a better day,” he said, adding that “we are happy to be here to show off the aircraft for the first time.”

The UAE previously bought three GlobalEye aircraft, which provide simultaneous air, maritime and ground surveillance.

Airbus Defence & Space declined to give any detail on the prospective deal.

“We are pleased with this decision and look forward on working with our customer,” said Airbus Defence & Space.

The UAE currently operates three boom-equipped A330 MRTT platforms which are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.