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29 March 2024

UAE Airforce buys 60 helicopters

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By Staff

The UAE Airforce bought 60 BlackHawk utility helicopters from Sikorsky for about $300 million at the Dubai Helishow.

This was revealed by the show organisers on Wednesday.

At the show, the UAE Airforce displayed one of the previously delivered aircraft which has been weaponised and fitted with the FLIR Systems Star SAFIRE stabilized, multi-sensor system.

Joseph Gigantelli, Sikorsky VP for Europe, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, said, " The new 40 UH-60M aircraft will be released  in February 2011 with deliveries running through 2013". 

He added, "We have already sold into Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordon, Egypt, Bahrain and we will be looking at Kuwait and Qatar as well in the future."

Phoenix Aviation UK also announced their GCAA Design Organisation Approval (DOA). The accreditation is the first of its kind in the region to target helicopters and small jets; Phoenix will be uniquely placed to offer high end design and installation of avionics and mission enhancing systems. Alastair MacGregor, Director Sales & Business Development commented, "We are delighted to have achieved this distinction and this will position us perfectly to offer an in country modification service direct to the operator".

Abdulla Abulhoul, CEO, Mediac Communications & Exhibitions, organizers of the show, said: "The first day of the show had an excellent turnout with some strong meetings held between key players in the industry.  We're looking forward to more great announcements and deals through the remainder of the show in all sectors."

During the final day of the show, Ivan Kristoff the founder of EIGER Rope Access Work Inc. will be holding his workshop during the Dubai Helishow 2010,  which will present the study of the High rise Emergency and Aerial Rescue Team, which played an important role in the development of safer standards for rope access work within high-rise construction and building sites in Ontario, Canada and he will also showcase how EIGER has helped drive the industry in creating a specialised urban high angle rescue unit.

The Dubai Helishow which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, opened on Tuesday at the Dubai Airport Expo Centre, and runs till Thursday.

The first Military & Homeland Security Exhibition is also taking place during the three-day event. The exhibition and conference will bring into sharp focus the growing market for homeland security, homeland defense solutions, and provide visitors access to a comprehensive set of product and service providers.