UAE military to buy Hellfire missiles
The UAE Armed Forces has requested up to US$526 million (Dh1.93bn) worth of Hellfire missiles and related equipment and services from US-based contractors, an extension for a series of UAE missile deals, reported The National.
The US government’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which facilitates foreign military sales of US technology, informed Congress the UAE has requested 326 Hellfire missiles from Lockheed Martin.
It is believed the missiles will be used to resupply the Armed Forces’ existing fleet of Apache attack helicopters from Boeing. The deal is latest in a massive buying programme by the military in new missile defence systems and other military capabilities, including upgrading its fleet of 30 Apache helicopters to Boeing’s latest standard, known as the Longbow.
The Hellfire deal also includes common missile warning systems, radar-warning receivers along with equipment and services from Science and Engineering Services, BAE, Northrop Grumman, L3 Corporation and Boeing.
The US agency said the deal would “contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.” It will also help the UAE support US overseas operations, it added.
It is believed the missiles will be used to resupply the Armed Forces’ existing fleet of Apache attack helicopters from Boeing. The deal is latest in a massive buying programme by the military in new missile defence systems and other military capabilities, including upgrading its fleet of 30 Apache helicopters to Boeing’s latest standard, known as the Longbow.
The Hellfire deal also includes common missile warning systems, radar-warning receivers along with equipment and services from Science and Engineering Services, BAE, Northrop Grumman, L3 Corporation and Boeing.
The US agency said the deal would “contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.” It will also help the UAE support US overseas operations, it added.
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