UAE Airlifter Hopefuls Court Local Companies

With an emerging requirement for eight to 10 tactical airlifters in the UAE to replace aging C-130H/L-100 Hercules, both Airbus and Embraer have outlined plans for industrial participation from Emirati companies.

Airbus is negotiating a deal for local companies to provide parts for several of its programs, primarily the A400M airlifter. These plans, unveiled earlier this year, involve local companies such as EPI from Edge Group and advanced composites aerostructure company Strata, part of the Mubadala portfolio. The plans also cover a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center.

Similarly, Embraer announced on Monday agreements with Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Center (AMMROC) and Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) to explore opportunities. This would include the establishment of an Embraer KC-390 MRO, training, and completion center for the Middle East region. This supersedes an earlier proposal for a similar organization in Saudi Arabia.

In the meantime, Lockheed Martin, which is offering the C-130J, points to its position as the incumbent OEM. The U.S. giant helped establish AMMROC, which is now one of the largest MRO companies in the region. It is the only authorized service center for the C-130 Hercules in the Middle East.

All three types are represented in the Dubai Airshow static park, with A400Ms from both France’s Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (air and space force) and the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. Embraer is displaying its new KC-390 demonstrator, while two U.S. Air Force C-130Js are in the static display.