First batch of F-16s arrives

The delivery of the first batch of the F-16s is part of the $6.4 billion contract signed between the UAE and the United States to provide 80 F-16s to the UAE Air Force.

The purchase of F-16s is part of the UAE’s efforts to modernise its armed forces, upgrade its defence capabilities, acquire modern technology and thereby bolster its technical and combative preparedness.

The ceremony was attended by Crown Prince of Bahrain Shaikh Sulman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region Shaikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior Lt.-Gen. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Commander of the Amiri Guards Major-General Shaikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Nasser bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Planning and Economy Department, Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, other Shaikhs ministers, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces Lt.-Gen. Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithy, Vice Chief of Staff of US Air Force General Michael Moseley and US Ambassador to the UAE Michele Sison.