Italy's Alenia wins UAE deal worth about $1.3 bln
25 Feb 2009
Abu Dhabi: Italy's Finmeccanica unit Alenia has won a deal worth about 1 billion euros ($1.29 billion) to provide the United Arab Emirates with 48 military training aircraft.
"Alenia will supply the UAE air force and air defence with 48 aircraft to cover the requirements of lead and combat air support," said Major General Obaid al-Ketbi, chairman of the IDEX defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
The value of the deal was not disclosed but Alenia officials have let it been known that it will be in excess of 1 billion euros. It is also expected that final contractual agreements will be signed soon.
Alenia's complete range of products covers every phase of pilot training and includes the SF-260 (selection/primary training), the M-311 (basic/advanced training with turbofan engine), the MB-339CD (advanced Lead-in-Fighter trainer, used by the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team of the Italian Air Force) and the M-346 (new-generation, advanced Lead-In-Fighter trainer).