The UAE Armed Forces General Head Quarter down-select the EADS Airbus A330 Multi Role Transport Tanker (MRTT) for the future air-to-air refuelling aircraft of the UAE Air Force & Air Defence (AF & AD).
The UAE Armed Forces GHQ announced at IDEX 2007 Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi the signature of an Memorandum of Understanding with EADS CASA for the procurement of the A330 MRTT as the new air-to-air refuelling aircraft for its UAE Air Force & Air Defense.
Following the contract signed with the Royal Australian Air Force, and after being selected as preferred bidder for the Future Stategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) in the UK, the UAE decision consolidates further the A330 MRTT position as the most advanced and capable air-to-air refuelling aircraft available in the market. EADS CASA, responsible for the design and production of the MRTTs, is positioned as a key worldwide supplier in the field of tanking and transport aircraft.
The expected order will be for three (3) A330 MRTT aircraft, equipped with underwing pods and the EADS CASA Advanced Refuelling Boom System, and will be due for delivery from 2011 onwards.
“The selection of this EADS CASA product by this important customer proves again our capabilities in the field of air-to-air refuelling aircraft. This is a new step forward in the consolidation of EADS as a benchmark on state-of-the art air refuelling systems and tanker aircraft”, has said Francisco Fernández Sáinz, Chairman of EADS CASA.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of € 34.2 billion and employed a workforce of about 113,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programmes from Ariane to Galileo. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, develops the A400M military transport aircraft, and holds a stake in the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems.
