UAEAF’s Long Reach: 3 Airbus A330 Tankers for the UAE

A330-MRTT: UAE concept

In February 2007 the UAE announced its selection of the EADS A330 MRTT as its next-generation aerial tanker, with secondary transport capabilities. In this industry, however, contracts can take a while to materialize. It took another year for EADS to announce a signed contract for their initial 3 aircraft. The UAE’s tankers will be fitted with under-wing “hose and drogue” pods to refuel boom-equipped aircraft like the UAE’s Mirage 2000-9s, and an EADS ARBS boom system to refuel aircraft with dorsal inlets like their F-16 E/F Desert Falcons.

As is usually the case for contracts involving the UAE, price is not revealed. In this case, however, the quantity is known.

Rapid Fire August 6, 2013: Embassy Shutdowns Because of Al-Qaeda in Yemen

• The US Air Force has flown US embassy staff out of Yemen because of Al Qaeda threats. The UK, France and Germany have also shut down their embassies.