Dubai Airshow sees $44 billion in contracts favoring U.S. companies
NewsNovember 28, 2017
WASHINGTON. The 2017 finished with U.S. Companies receiving more than $44 billion in new orders for commercial and defense-related equipment as well as services, United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials say.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba says, “U.S. exports of commercial and military aircraft, services and equipment to the UAE make up the largest share of America’s $19 billion trade surplus with the UAE.”
Lockheed Martin received a $1.6 billion deal with the UAE to upgrade 80 F-16 fighter jets for the UAE air force. The F-16 “Block 60” is regarded as the most advanced version of that aircraft ever produced, and it forms the backbone of the UAE air force’s fleet, UAE officials say.
Raytheon also received a $684 million for precision-guided munitions to deliver to the UAE.
“The deals between UAE customers and U.S. companies will support American jobs and help grow the U.S. economy,” Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba says. “The UAE is proud to partner with U.S. manufacturers to create shared prosperity and advance our mutual security interests.”
On the commercial front, Emirates Airline placed orders for 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft valued at $15.1 billion. Also at the Airshow, UAE-based regional airline flydubai announced a separate $27 billion order for 225 Boeing 737 MAX Airplanes. flydubai operates an all-Boeing fleet of planes.
The 787-10 aircraft will be assembled at the Boeing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina and the 737s will be manufactured in Renton, Washington.
