Boeing and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force have announced a contract for the UAE’s acquisition of six Boeing C-17 Globemaster III advanced airlifters. The UAE, which announced in 2009 that it would modernize its airlift capabilities with the C-17, is the second Middle East nation to order the airlifter. The UAE will accept delivery of four C-17s in 2011 and two in 2012. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Boeing will provide maintenance and support for the UAE C-17s through the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, an agreement under which Boeing is responsible for all C-17 upkeep.
Major General Staff Pilot Faris Mohamed Al Mazrouei of the UAE said of the purchase, “The C-17 will give the UAE the ability to perform a variety of humanitarian and strategic lift operations around the world in support of both national and international missions. These missions require us to be ready for any contingency at any time and any place, and the C-17 meets our requirements.”
Jean Chamberlin, Boeing vice president, Global Mobility Systems, said “Boeing is pleased that the UAE Air Force has selected the C-17 to meet its airlift requirements for the 21st century. The C-17 consistently posts mission capability rates that are among the best in the world, earning it high marks for its industry-leading quality and reliability.”
