UAE Showcases Military Hardware

Tony Osborne

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

The UAE Air Force operates a fleet of eight C-17 airlifters on strategic transport duties. These aircraft can be seen around the world supporting the UAE government activities including humanitarian relief missions. They are based at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Boeing CH-47F Chinook

Providing the heavylift capability for the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command are a fleet of Boeing CH-47F Chinook tandem rotor heavylift helicopters. The type has served with UAE forces in Afghanistan and in Yemen.

Airbus C295

The UAE Air Force’s Airbus C295 is making its debut appearance at this year’s Dubai Airshow having been formally ordered by the air arm at the 2017 event. The fleet of five aircraft are operated in a transport configuration.

Saab/Bombardier GlobalEye Swing-Role Surveillance System

Another debutant in the warpaint of the UAE Air Force is the GlobalEye Swing-Role Surveillance System, a heavily modified Bombardier Global business jet. Equipped for the airborne early warning mission with its Saab-developed Erieye radar, the aircraft at Dubai is one of three currently in service with the UAE Air Force, which is the launch customer for the platform. The UAE will purchase five of the platforms.

Sikorsky UH-60M DAP Black Hawk

Among the large fleet of Black Hawks operated by the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command are these Direct Action Penetrator versions equipped to carry heavy armament including Hellfire missiles and unguided rockets, operating alongside other types such as the Boeing AH-64 Apache gunship.

Leonardo AW139

The UAE has several helicopters based around the country for search and rescue duties and this Leonardo AW139 in this bright red and white colour scheme is one of them. The helicopters are tasked on missions by the country’s National Search and Rescue Center.

Northstar Aviation/Bell 407 Multi-Role Helicopter

U.S. defense firm Northstar Aviation developed a bespoke light attack variant of the Bell 407GX single-engine light helicopter equipped with a new avionics suite, mission computer and weapon pylon system. Around 30 of the helicopters entered service with the UAE Joint Aviation Command.

United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) combat aircraft, helicopters and support aircraft have swelled the static display of this year’s Dubai Airshow with several new types to the inventory making their debut. Here are a few of the UAEAF and Joint Aviation Command platforms making an appearance at this year’s show.