United Arab Emirates Air Force

United Arab Emirates Air Force
United Arab Emirates Air Force
F-16e block60.jpg
UAEAF F-16E Desert Falcon taking off from the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The United Arab Emirates is the only operator of the F-16E/F.
Founded 1972
Country United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
Allegiance Military of the United Arab Emirates
Size ~4,000 personnel
368 aircraft[1]
Insignia
Roundel Arab Emirates AF roundel.svg
Aircraft flown
Attack AH-64D, UH-60M, Alenia Aermacchi M-346
Fighter F-16E/F, Mirage 2000/2000-9
Patrol AS 550, AS 565
Reconnaissance Dash 8MMA, CN-235MPA
Trainer Hawk, MB-339, PC-7, G 115, AS 350, Alenia Aermacchi M-346
Transport C-130, CH-47, Puma, Super Puma, Bell 214, Bell 412, CN-235, Cessna 208, AS 365, C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, Airbus A330 MRTT

The United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) is the air force of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Its predecessor was established in 1968, when the Emirates were still under British rule. Since then, it has undergone a continual reorganization and expansion in terms of both capability and numbers of aircraft. Currently, the UAEAF has around 4,000 personnel and operates approximately 368 fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Contents

History

The UAEAF's history starts in 1968, when the Abu Dhabi Army Air Force was formed under British rule. After becoming the Abu Dhabi Air Force in 1972, major investment assured an expansion in terms of capabilities, quality and quantity of aircraft.[2] Neighbour Emirate of Dubai maintained its own air component, the Dubai Defence Force Air Wing, until 1999, when the two were effectively merged to become what is now the United Arab Emirates Air Force. Although the integration of the two independent forces has been complete, a small degree of autonomy exists at the operational command level, with the Western Air Command being headquartered in Abu Dhabi and the Central Air Command in Dubai.[2]

Since the 1980s, a combination of regional instability and high oil prices has resulted in an ambitious modernization of the UAEAF, with the goal of attaining a level of capability matching the highest NATO standards.[2]

Personnel and training

The UAEAF consists of about 4,000 personnel.[1]

In the 1970s and 80s, the UAEAF was instructed by Pakistan Air Force pilots on Dassault Mirage IIIs, the backbone of the UAEAF at the time. Even today, many of the personnel are ex-Pakistan Air Force officers and technicians. Most of the flying instructors at Al Ain are from Pakistan, training pilots using Grob G 115, Pilatus PC-7, Aermacchi MB-339, and BAE Hawk 63 aircraft. A few officers of No. 12 Squadron (Hawk 102) at Minhad Air Base, are also from the Pakistan Air Force. Some of these officers are on deputation (active service), but most are on civilian contracts with the Air Force Headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Numerous officers of other nationalities have also trained UAE pilots, among them Moroccans, Canadians, Jordanians, and South Africans.

Women have started training as pilots. The first batch consisted of engineers given approval for flight training. So far, only three women have become actual fighter pilots and one a transport pilot. One woman pilot was grounded due to an ejection from a training flight in a Hawk 63. Instructors at Al Dhafra are now mainly from the US, as the UAEAF has retired its Mirage IIIs in favour of F-16s.

Currently there are five main air bases operational, split between the Western and Central Air Command. The Special Operations Command has its own airbase and operates a wide range of helicopters.

Candidates apply to the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College, which is located at the Al Ain International Airport in Al Ain. They first go through a rigorous schedule of academics (Basic Level: Military Sciences), fitness and officer training. Those who are selected as cadets then start the second phase of academics: Flight Sciences (Aeronautical Science). Cadets who pass the assessment period of the second phase are designated aviation cadets and start flight training. The first aircraft cadets get to fly is the Grob G115 TA. Those who qualify then go on to fly the Pilatus PC-7. On this aircraft, they learn the basics of flying, take-off and landing techniques and procedures followed by a bit of aerobatics. Following the Primary Flying Course is the Basic Flight Course, piloting the Hawk 63. Graduates are graded and assigned accordingly to one of three options: the Advanced Strike course at Minhad on the Hawk 102 aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters. At Minhad, the new pilots learn Basic Fighters Manoeuvers, drop bombs and learn to fly cross-country to a neighbouring country, commonly Bahrain or Kuwait. Upon completion of the Advanced Strike course, officers are selected either for the F-16 (Block 60) or the Dassault Mirage 2000-9, both at Al Dhafra AB. A few pilots are selected to learn to fly the F-16 with the United States Air Force's 162d Fighter Wing in Tucson, Arizona.

Current state

A Mirage 2000 fighter of the UAEAF

2007 marked the culmination of the largest procurement programmes ever undertaken by the UAE Air Force, with the final deliveries of the 80 F-16E/F Block 60 "Desert Falcons" and approximately 60 upgraded Mirage 2000-9, giving the air force a considerable multirole capability.[3] These two investments represented a total expenditure of around $10 billion, with additional money spent on infrastructure and logistics.[2] A $6.4 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for the supply and support of the 80 F-16s was signed in March 2000, while a $3.4 billion deal for the purchase of 30 new Mirage 2000-9 and retrofitting of the 33 older UAE Mirage 2000s was signed earlier in 1998.[4] Missiles were also purchased: 160 AGM-88 HARMs, 1,000 or more AGM-65 Mavericks, about 500 AIM-120 AMRAAMs, 270 AIM-9 Sidewinders and 52 AGM-84 Harpoons.[4]

After a competition between the BAE Hawk, T-50 Golden Eagle and Alenia Aermacchi M-346, the UAEAF announced the acquisition of 48 trainer and light attack aircraft, with the first deliveries to take place in 2012.[5] The other training types that are thought to be near replacement are the 30 Pilatus PC-7s and five Aermacchi MB-339s serving with the Air Academy at Al Ain.[6]

The UAEAF has operated 20 IAR 330 Puma helicopters since the late 1970s. These have been recently upgraded to the IAR-330SM standard by IAR Ghimbav in Romania in cooperation with Eurocopter.[7] These aircraft, supplemented by a further ten ex-South African Air Force reworked SA-330s, are expected to remain in service for at least 15 years.[8] Although no replacement for the Puma fleet is required in the immediate future, the force will be supplemented by 26 Sikorsky UH-60M Battlehawks, with 390 AGM-114N Hellfire II missiles.[9] 30 AH-64A Apache helicopters were modernized as well, to the AH-64D Longbow standard, and a dozen Eurocopter Fennecs were recently acquired for special forces use.[6]

The most important facility of the UAEAF is the Al Dhafra Air Base, with almost the entire fighter aircraft fleet located there. However, in order to prevent all of the air defence and strike assets being located at a single base, a $1 billion, completely new facility has been constructed deep in the Abu Dhabi desert.[2]

Structure

As of 2008, the structure of the United Arab Emirates Air Force is as follows:[8]

Western Air Command - HQ at Abu Dhabi

  • Fighter Wing - Al Dhafra Air Base
    • 1st Shaheen Squadron - F-16E/F Block 60 Desert Falcon
    • 2nd Shaheen Squadron - F-16E/F Desert Falcon
    • 3rd Shaheen Squadron - F-16E/F Desert Falcon
    • 71st Fighter Squadron - Mirage 2000-9EAD/DAD
    • 76th Fighter Squadron - Mirage 2000-9EAD/DAD
    • 86th Fighter Squadron - Mirage 2000-9EAD/DAD (Al Safran Air Base)

Central Air Command - HQ at Dubai

  • Al Minhad Air Base (helicopter base)
    • 102nd CAS Squadron - BAE Hawk Mk.102
    • Transport Squadron - C-130H-30, L-100-30 Hercules
  • Dubai International Airport (transport aircraft)

Special Operations Command - HQ at Abu Dhabi

Army Command - HQ at Abu Dhabi

  • 10th Army Aviation Brigade - Al Dhafra AB - AS.550C3 Fennec and AH-64A Apache

Current inventory

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes
Fighters
Lockheed Martin F-16 Desert Falcon  United States Multirole fighter F-16E
F-16F
Total		 54[10]
25
79[nb 1]		 An E-model crashed in 2006.[11] One was damaged in the Libyan Civil War in 2011.[12]
Dassault Mirage 2000  France Multirole fighter 2000EAD
2000RAD
2000DAD
2000-9
2000-9D
Total		 22
8
6
20
12
68[nb 2]		 30 new ones were purchased in 1998; another 33 were modernised to an unknown standard by Dassault.[3]
Close air support
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master Italy Italy Light Attack M-346 0/20[nb 3] Order on hold due to disagreement over contract specifications.[13]
Transports
Lockheed C-130 Hercules  United States Transport C-130H
C-130H-30		 6 To be replaced by C-130J-30s.[14]
CASA CN-235 Spain Spain
Indonesia Indonesia		 Transport CN-235 11[15] 4 CN-235MPA models and are operated for the United Arab Emirates Navy.[nb 4]
Cessna 208 Grand Caravan  United States Utility 208B 7[8]
Airbus A330 MRTT  Europe Aerial refueling tanker/transport A330 MRTT 0/3 Deliveries to begin in 2011.[17][nb 5]
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules  United States Transport C-130J-30 0/12 Ordered in 2009.[14] A contract with Lockheed Martin has not been signed.[19]
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III  United States Transport C-17 4/6 Ordered in 2009.[14]
Piaggio P.180 Avanti  Italy Utility/VIP/MEDAVAC P.180 Avanti 1/2 Ordered at the Paris Air Show 2009.[20]
Helicopters
Boeing AH-64 Apache  United States Attack helicopter AH-64A
AH-64D		 30 Being converted to the AH-64D "Longbow".[nb 6]
Boeing CH-47 Chinook  United States Transport helicopter CH-47C/D 12 Acquired from Libya in 2003.[nb 7]
IAR 330SM PUMA / Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma  Romania/ France Transport helicopter IAR 330SM SA.330 35[nb 8]
Eurocopter AS 550 Fennec  France Observation helicopter AS 550C3 12[8]
Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma  France Naval helicopter AS 332 2
Bell 214 Huey Plus  United States Utility helicopter Bell 214B Huey Plus 4
Agusta-Bell AB-412  Italy Transport helicopter AB-412HP/SP 6 Used for search and rescue.
Eurocopter AS 565 Panther  France Naval helicopter AS 565SB 16
Eurocopter AS 365 Dauphin  France VIP helicopter AS 365N3 1
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk  United States Transport/Attack Helicopter UH-60M 0/40? 26 ordered in 2007; 14 more ordered in 2008.[nb 9]
Trainers
Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer  Switzerland Trainer PC-7 30[6] To be replaced by the PC-21.
Pilatus PC-21  Switzerland Trainer PC-21 0/25
Grob G 115  Germany Trainer G 115 Acro 12[6]
BAE Hawk United Kingdom United Kingdom Advanced trainer Hawk Mk 61/63/102 46 To be withdrawn and replaced by the M-346.[5] Not all in operation.
Aermacchi MB-339 Italy Italy Advanced trainer MB-339A 5 To be withdrawn and replaced by the M-346.[5]
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master Italy Italy Advanced Trainer M-346 0/20 Order on hold due to disagreement over contract specifications.[13]
Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil  France Trainer helicopter AS 350 14
Miscellaneous
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master Italy Italy Aerobatics M-346 0/8 Order on hold due to disagreement over contract specifications.[13]
Bombardier Dash 8  Canada Maritime Patrol Dash-8 Q300 0/2[nb 10]
Viking Air  Canada Maritime Patrol Guardian 400 0/4
Saab 340  Sweden Early-warning aircraft Saab 340 0/2

See also

References

  • "Force Report: UAE Air Force & Air Defence", Air Forces Monthly magazine, January 2008 issue.
Footnotes
  1. ^ Sole operator of the F-16E/F - 25 "F" Model two-seater's, 55 "E" Model single-seaters.[11]
  2. ^ EAD's are single-seat multirole, RAD's are the reconnaissance variant, DAD's are two seat trainers, 2000-9 are new builds and 9D's are new build two seaters
  3. ^ Final assembly in Abu Dhabi by Mubadala.[5]
  4. ^ The MPA's are equipped with the Thales AMASCOS 300 with Ocean Master 100 radar for surveillance, maritime patrol, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.[16]
  5. ^ EADS says the A330 MRTTs will be equipped with both wing-mounted hose-and-drogue pods and a centreline refuelling boom for both the probe-equipped Dassault Mirage 2000-9s and receptable-equipped Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60s.[18]
  6. ^ Remanufacture and delivery has begun in May 2008 and will end in November 2009, with support activities continuing through November 2010.[21]
  7. ^ Upgraded in 2005 by Agusta Westland and Piaggio Aero under a $72 million programme.[22]
  8. ^ Ten planned to be donated to Lebanon and 25 scheduled to remain in service for at least 15 years.[8][23]
  9. ^ Fourteen will be the weaponized UH-60M Battlehawks and will operate alongside the Ah-64Ds.[9]
  10. ^ Ordered in early 2009 - to be built on used airframes under a $290 million contract.[24]
Citations
  1. ^ a b "Background Note: United Arab Emirates". US Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5444.htm#defense. Retrieved 7 September 2009. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Air Forces Monthly, p. 60.
  3. ^ a b "UAE eyes France's Rafale fighter". AFP. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iPXpIP5rSYIT6n2UejcGjcCIKrLg. Retrieved 7 September 2009. 
  4. ^ a b Air Forces Monthly, p. 61.
  5. ^ a b c d "UAE Gives M346 a LIFT". Defense Industry Daily. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/UAE-Gives-M346-a-LIFT-05303/. Retrieved 7 September 2009. 
  6. ^ a b c d Air Forces Monthly, p. 62.
  7. ^ "Eurocopter Romania awaits UAE contract". Jane's Intelligence Weekly. http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military/news/jdw/jdw010622_1_n.shtml. Retrieved 7 September 2009. [dead link]
  8. ^ a b c d e Air Forces Monthly, p. 63.
  9. ^ a b "UAE Ordering Weaponized UH-60M ‘Battlehawk’ Helicopters". Defense Industry Daily. 17 September 2008. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/UAE-Ordering-Weaponized-UH-60M-Battlehawk-Helicopters-05078/. Retrieved 7 September 2009. 
  10. ^ http://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/airframe-profile/4535
  11. ^ a b "F16 crashes in capital; no casualties". Khaleej Times. 10 January 2006. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2006/January/theuae_January237.xml&section=theuae. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  12. ^ http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/04/ap-uae-f16-crash-in-italy-042811/
  13. ^ a b c UAE Reopens Talks To Buy T-50 Trainer
  14. ^ a b c "UAE Orders C-17s, C-130Js". Defense Industry Daily. 25 February 2009. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/UAE-Orders-C-17s-C-130Js-05302/. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  15. ^ "EADS to sign US$140m deal with UAE". Jane's Intelligence Weekly. 18 April 2001. http://www.janes.com/aerospace/military/news/jni/jni010418_1_n.shtml. Retrieved 8 September 2009. [dead link]
  16. ^ "EADS to sign US$140m deal with UAE". UAE Interact. 11 July 2001. http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/EADS_to_sign_US$140m_deal_with_UAE/74.htm. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  17. ^ "UAE signs for Airbus A330 tanker-transports". Flightglobal. 25 February 2008. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/02/25/221840/uae-signs-for-airbus-a330-tanker-transports.html. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  18. ^ "Airbus Completes A330 Tanker Deal with UAE". Defense Industry Daily. 26 February 2008. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Airbus-Completes-A330-Tanker-Deal-with-UAE-04756/. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  19. ^ "Lockheed expects delays for Middle East aircraft orders." FlightGlobal, 3 May 2011.
  20. ^ "PARIS AIR SHOW: UAE selects Piaggio Avanti for multi-utility role". Flightglobal. 15 June 2009. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/06/15/327871/paris-air-show-uae-selects-piaggio-avanti-for-multi-utility.html. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  21. ^ "UAE’s 30-Helicopter Apache Upgrade Program Underway". Defense Industry Daily. 10 May 2009. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/uaes-30helicopter-apache-upgrade-program-underway-02551/. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  22. ^ "UAE awards contracts for CH-47 upgrade". Flightglobal. 15 March 2005. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2005/03/15/195191/uae-awards-contracts-for-ch-47-upgrade.html. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 
  23. ^ "LEBANON: UAE GIVES 10 PUMA HELICOPTERS TO ARMY". ANSAmed. 11 February 2009. http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/ME03.@AM51098.html. Retrieved 8 September 2009. [dead link]
  24. ^ "UAE adds Dash-8 Q300s for Maritime Patrol". Defense Industry Daily. 2 March 2009. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/UAE-chooses-Dash-8-Q300s-for-Maritime-Partrol-05308/. Retrieved 8 September 2009. 

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