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Armed Forces select EADS for air tanker programme

ABU DHABI — The UAE Armed Forces GHQ announced at IDEX 2007 Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding with EADS CASA for the procurement of the A330 MRTT as the new air-to-air refuelling aircraft for its UAE Air Force & Air Defense.

Following the contract signed with the Royal Australian Air Force, and after being selected as preferred bidder for the Future Stategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) in the UK, the UAE decision consolidates further the A330 MRTT position as the most advanced and capable air-to-air refuelling aircraft available in the market. EADS CASA, responsible for the design and production of the MRTTs, is positioned as a key worldwide supplier in the field of tanking and transport aircraft.

The expected order will be for three A330 MRTT aircraft, equipped with underwing pods and the EADS CASA Advanced Refuelling Boom System, and will be due for delivery from 2011 onwards.

"The selection of this EADS CASA product by this important customer proves again our capabilities in the field of air-to-air refuelling aircraft. This is a new step forward in the consolidation of EADS as a benchmark on state-of-the art air refuelling systems and tanker aircraft," has said Francisco Fernández Sáinz, Chairman of EADS CASA.