UAEAF signs $4bn of deals in pursuit of modernisation

The UAE Armed Forces signed deals worth a total of Dh14.7bn ($4bn) during the Dubai Airshow in November, with much of the money going on aircraft for the UAE Air Force (UAEAF). Among the deals was a Dh6bn ($1.6bn) agreement with Lockheed Martin to upgrade its F-16 fighter jets. The UAE also announced a deal to buy five C-295 MW military transport aircraft and related services from Airbus Defence and Space, at a cost of Dh920.4m; a linked technical support deal with France’s MBDA cost a further Dh50.7m.