The United Arab Emirates has ordered six Boeing C-17 transports.
The order, confirming an initial announcement made in 2009 for four , makes the UAE the second Middle Eastern country to acquire the aircraft after Qatar, which has two C-17s on strength.
“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,” said the UAE’s Major General Staff Pilot Faris Mohamed Al Mazrouei. “These missions require us to be ready for any contingency at any time and any place, and the C-17 meets our requirements.”
The first four C-17s will be delivered in 2011, with the final two following in 2012. The UAE will take part in Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership for technical support, training, maintenance and spares.
