"The purchase of C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft is to meet the
requirements of the UAE armed forces with regard to strategic and tactical
air transport and to actively participate in rescue and humanitarian
missions worldwide," Al Ketbi said.
Al Ketbi said the UAE's Al Waha Capital would arrange financing for the
air transport deals. He said that neither the global credit crisis nor the
sharp drop in oil would block the latest UAE arms deals. So far, the UAE has
announced deals at IDEX worth more than $4 billion.
"I do not expect the purchase volumes to be impacted by the global
economic crisis," Al Ketbi said.
At the briefing, Lockheed Martin vice president Rick Groesch confirmed
that his company was discussing the deal with Al Waha for the C-130Js. But
Groesch, who appeared surprised by the UAE announcement, stressed that an
agreement has not yet been signed.
"No, we have not signed the deal," Groesch said. "We are in final
discussions about the aircraft."
This marked the first UAE procurement of the C-17 and C-130J. Qatar has
ordered four C-130Js and plans to receive the first aircraft in 2011.
Executives said Kuwait and Oman were also negotiating for the C-130J.
The UAE has also been negotiating with Lockheed for the sale of its
Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system, estimated at $7 billion.
Executives said the missile defense deal could be signed in 2010, with
deliveries to begin after 2012.