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The deal is being seen as a precursor of further defence orders to come.
"The UAE Air Force & Air Defence is currently evaluating several options to purchase permanent solution Command and Early Warning aircraft to meet the UAE Armed Forces operational requirements," official statement said.
And in a second deal, the UAE signed a contract with Pilatus to buy 25 basic training PC-21 aircraft, worth $511m. The contract also covers several training simulators, with all systems and services, to train and qualify pilots to operate fourth and fifth generation aircraft.
"These aircraft will be used for basic and combat operational training which will help train pilots in modern systems, such as navigation, radar, early warning, night vision, thermal cameras and data link systems. They will also help in training them in launching munitions, bombs, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles,"
said Staff Major General Pilot Faris Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Chief of Logistics Staff, United Arab Emirates GHQ Armed Forces.
The double-announcement came after several days of anticipation of orders from the UAE GHQ with analysts believing further deals could be revealed at a second press conference the GHQ has scheduled.
The Dubai Airshow 2009 order book was further boosted when SR Technics from Switzerland, a global provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul, signed an agreement with low-cost carrier EasyJet for an 11-year renewal and extension of their maintenance co-operation. The deal offers potential revenue of $1.6bn.
Dubai Air Show 2009 runs at the Airport Expo Dubai, United Arab Emirates until Thursday evening (November 19). The show is open to trade visitors only.
Rana Mesbah
