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UAE Airforce confirms $300 million Black Hawk deal

DUBAI — The fourth edition of the Dubai Helishow continued to attract the region’s leading stakeholders in civil, medical, military, and search and rescue sector.

The three-day show, inaugurated by Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Art, on Tuesday, received a boost with the confirmation of a deal between the UAE Airforce and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.

As part of the current deal worth an estimated $300 million, the UAE will take delivery of a total of 60 BlackHawk utility helicopters, with a direct order from Sikorsky for 20 UH-60L BlackHawks worth $300 million.

“The new 40 UH-60M aircraft will be released in February 2011 with deliveries running through 2013,” Joseph Gigantelli, Sikorsky VP for Europe, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, said in an e-mail statement to Khaleej Times.

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 stabilised, multi-sensor system.“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,” he added.

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.

“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,” Alastair MacGregor, Director Sales & Business Development said.

Abdulla Abulhoul, CEO, Mediac Communications & Exhibitions LLC, 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.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.

business@khaleejtimes.com