Boeing, General Electric (GE) and Lockheed Martin are poised to seal a US$5 billion (Dh18.36bn) contract with the UAE Armed Forces, which plans to double its fleet of Boeing Apache attack helicopters to 60.
The sale is part of a wholesale modernisation of the UAE's helicopter fleet including proposed purchases of Chinook heavy-lift aircraft and Black Hawk tactical transport helicopters that will be used for domestic protection as well as peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan.
The US defence security co-operation agency (DSCA) notified Congress last week of the possible sale, as well as a separate deal with the UAE for 140 tactical missile systems and training rockets worth $140 million.
"The UAE is currently deployed in support of US regional operations and plans to provide future deployment support," the DSCA said.
"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US 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."
The agency gave no indication of when the deal might be completed.
Under the proposed sale, the UAE would acquire 30 new Apache helicopters and convert its existing fleet of 30 Apaches bought in the mid-1990s to the new Block III configuration, which features an improved sensor suite, a glass cockpit and upgraded weapons systems.
The Apaches would probably "be used for counter-terror/internal security needs and defending UAE borders", said Dan Darling, a Middle East defence analyst with Forecast International.
The deal would also include 120 GE engines, 70 Lockheed Martin Longbow fire-control radars and other systems including night-vision sensors and radar jammers.
"The UAE needs these helicopters to fulfil its strategic commitments for self defence, with coalition support, in the region," the DSCA said. "The helicopters will provide the UAE military with more advanced targeting and engagement capabilities.
"The proposed sale will provide for the defence of vital installations and will provide close air support for military ground forces."
Last December, the US agency also informed congress the UAE was interested in buying 16 of the latest Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters as part of a $2bn package that also included communications and self-protection systems.
The deal has yet to be completed. Boeing has targeted next year as the likely completion date for the deal.
This month the UAE military also confirmed it would grow its fleet of Sikorsky-made UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to 60, including a new order for 20 of the aircraft worth $300m. Deliveries will run from February next year through to 2013, according to Sikorsky. The Black Hawk has also been purchased by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Bahrain.
The UAE has been one of the world's top arms buyers for the past decade, says the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Blenheim Capital Partners, a British firm that arranges defence-related finance deals, estimates the Armed Forces will spend $35bn over the next five years, including $25bn by the Air Force and Air Defence with the rest from its naval and land divisions.
While the UAE has attracted the attention of the world's biggest defence companies, it is Saudi Arabia that has become the Gulf's largest arms buyer, spending $36.7bn on weaponry from 2001 and 2008, according to a report from the US congressional research service.
The kingdom recently revealed a 10-year, $60bn arms acquisition programme with US firms including 70 Black Hawk helicopters and up to 60 Longbow Apache attack helicopters valued at $30bn.
igale@thenational.ae
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
Jawan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAtlee%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Nayanthara%2C%20Vijay%20Sethupathi%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
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Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
World%20Food%20Day%20
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