@Khafee @WAJsal @Windjammer
United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence
By Steve Rush
The United Arab Emirates came into being on December 2nd, 1971 as a result of the British withdrawal from the Gulf region. Formed as a federation of seven emirates, the UAE comprises Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Qaiwain, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah. With a total population of around three million, by far the largest majority live in the two largest, and probably best known, emirates: Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Boasting around 10% of the World’s known oil reserves and 4% of global natural gas deposits, the UAE has transformed itself into a dynamic, modern economy, which, in recent years, has allowed for a large expenditure on defence equipment.
The modern-day United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence owes its roots to a small communications force established whilst still under British rule in 1968; the Abu Dhabi Army Air Wing. This gradually expanded until, in 1972, it was renamed as the Abu Dhabi Air Force. The Dubai Defence Force Air Wing also came into existence at this time, forming in 1971 at Dubai’s international airport. Although both Dubai’s and Abu Dhabi’s air forces maintained a degree of autonomy in respect of procurement, operations and planning throughout their formative years, the creation of an air arm funded by all seven of the emirates became inevitable, and thus the United Arab Emirates Air Force was born. Since 1999 the absorption of the two independent air arms of Abu Dhabi and Dubai has been virtually total, and these now represent the Western and Central Air Commands of the UAEAF&AD.
The past ten years has seen a massive investment in the most modern military aircraft technology available, culminating in the near $10 billion expenditure on the current Mirage 2000-9 and F-16 Block 60 procurements. Personnel levels have been increased to reflect this influx of new hard-ware, and currently stand at a little under 5,000. Heavy spending on the infrastructure to support such sophisticated equipment as is currently being inducted has also been made. This has been both in terms of airfield facilities such as those constructed at Al Dhafra and Minhad, and also in respect of fostering an aerospace industrial base to keep highly-skilled technical jobs in-country.
Future plans for the UAEAF&AD include the acquisition of around three tanker aircraft to allow for air-to-air refueling of the newly acquired F-16s and Mirage 2000-9s. The Airbus A310-MRTT** in a similar specification to those supplied to Canada and Germany is one consideration. An AWACS (airborne warning and control system) capability is also being keenly sought after plans to purchase five E-2C Hawkeye aircraft for this role had to be abandoned due to operational and political problems. Another substantial future procurement is likely to be for a more suitable lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft to replace the BAe Hawks. For several years EADS’ Mako looked to be the front-runner but, more recently, it was announced that an order for sixty of the supersonic KAI T-50
Golden Eagle might be forthcoming as early as this year.
** Now thought to be the A330-[MRTT] that’s under consideration.
Current Order of Battle and a listing of the UAEF&AD’s aircraft inventory follow below.
Western Air Command
Abu Dhabi
Al Dhafra Air Base
Fighter Wing
I Shaheen* Squadron
Mirage 2000-9, Mirage 2000EAD/DAD
II Shaheen* Squadron
Mirage 2000RAD
I Shaheen Squadron also maintain a detachment at Sharjah International Airport
* Believed to also be designated 76th Fighter and 86th Fighter Training Squadrons
69th Air Combat Group /
Apache Squadron
AH-64A Apache
Al Dhafra AB will also house at least one squadron of Block 60 F-16E/F aircraft when delivered
Al Ain International Airport
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Air College
Air College Squadron
Grob G 115TA
2 (Rotary) Squadron /
Al Ghezelle
SA.342L Gazelle, AS.350B Squirrel
4 Squadron /
Flying Squadron
Pilatus PC-7
Squadron /
Flying Instructor’s School
MB.339A
63 Squadron /
Hawk Conversion
Hawk Mk.61/Mk.63A/Mk.63C
Al Bateen Air Base
Transport Wing
C-130 Squadron
C-130H, L-100-30 Hercules
CASA Squadron
CN.235M-100
Puma Squadron
SA.330C/F, IAR.330L Puma
6 Squadron
AB.412HP, AB.412SP, Bell 214
Navy Squadron
AS.332B/M Super Puma, AS.565SB Panther
Learjet 35A
Central Air Command
Dubai
Minhad Air Base
III Shaheen Squadron
Hawk Mk.102
Minhad AB will also house at least one squadron of Block 60 F-16E/F aircraft when delivered
Dubai International Airport
Transport Squadron
C-130H-30, L-100-30 Hercules, Shorts SD330
Special Operations Command
Abu Dhabi
Umm an Nar
Special Operations Squadron (?)
CH-47C Chinook
UAEAF&AD and UAE Navy Inventory (as of 1st May, 2005)
Figures shown after each aircraft type indicate the quantity currently available for use, with the total acquired originally shown in brackets.
Aermacchi MB.339A: 5/6 (7)
Serials: 431, 432, 434 to 437
A total of seven aircraft, in two batches, are known to have been supplied to Dubai, with deliveries being made during the late 1980s. Although only a single example is confirmed as having been lost in an accident (s/n 433 on 21st October, 1990), recent reports suggest that only five remain in use with the Flying Instructors School at Al Ain. They had previously served in a similar role at Minhad AB.
Aérospatiale SA.330C/F and IAR-330L Puma: 20 (15)
SA.330C:
111 to 115
SA.330F:
116 to 120
IAR-330L:
181 to 190
The ten French-built Pumas were originally delivered to the Abu Dhabi AF in two batches: the five SA.330C in 1972 followed by the SA.330F variants in 1975. The ten Romanian-built examples were supplied by IAR in the early 1990s. Of this total of twenty some fifteen are believed to remain in service. Major overhauls of some the oldest examples have taken place at IPTN in Indonesia in the past. An announcement made by Eurocopter Romania in July 2004 revealed plans for a complete rebuild and upgrade of the whole Puma fleet to include the fitment of replacement engines, a new avionics suite and replacement automatic piloting system. Interestingly, the announcement gave the total figure of Pumas involved in the upgrade programme as twenty-four, which is thought to include ex-South African Air Force examples purchased by IAR Brasov in 1995. Work was scheduled to begin in September 2004 and the upgraded Pumas would, reportedly, be given a new designation: IAR 330SM.
Aérospatiale SA.342L Gazelle: 11 (13)
131, 133 to 142
A batch of twelve Gazelles were supplied to Abu Dhabi in 1980, ostensibly to augment and replace the seven surviving SA.316B and SA.319B Alouette III helicopters that had served throughout the previous decade. Used for a variety of tasks, from training and liaison to battlefield observation duties, the Gazelles can also be fitted with wing-stub-mounted machine gun pods, unguided 2.75 inch rocket pods or HOT anti-tank missiles, the latter of less significance following the acquisition of AH-64A Apaches. Although two have been lost in accidents, a single SA.342J model was inducted from the Dubai Police as an attrition replacement.
Agusta-Bell AB139: (8)
On Order
An $83.9 million contract to supply eight AB139 helicopters was announced on February 15th during 2005’s International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi. Six will be configured for search and rescue operations, whilst the remaining pair will be assigned to VIP transportation duties.
Agusta-Bell AB412HP and AB412SP: 9 (9)
Recently Noted AB.412HP Serials: 323 to 325
The total quantity of these Italian-built medium-lift helicopters procured remains unconfirmed, but is thought to amount to nine. 6 Squadron at Al Bateen are reported to have been operating six of the HP model and three SP variants as recently as 2002, and no subsequent attritional losses are known. Although Dubai are known to have purchased at least two AB.412 helicopters as long ago as 1994, the majority in service today are far more recent deliveries.
BAe Hawk Mk.61: 3/4? (9) and BAe Hawk Mk.63A/63C: 17 (20)
Mk.61:
1021 to 1023
Mk.63A:
1001 to 1016
Mk.63C:
1017 to 1020
Twenty-two “first generation” Hawk trainers are believed to remain in service today, from a total of 29 that were procured in separate contracts in a little over twenty years ago. Eight Hawk Mk.61s were bought by Dubai and delivered in 1983, with a ninth procured as an attrition replacement in 1988. These were originally used for aircrew training but also configured for the light strike and reconnaissance roles, having four hardpoints and Vinten camera pods to achieve these tasks. Additionally, Dubai’s Hawks were also cleared to carry and fire Matra
Magic air-to-air missiles.
The sixteen original Mk.63s represent an order from Abu Dhabi that was completed in 1984/85. A follow-on order for four Mk.63C aircraft was placed, and these were delivered in 1995. All surviving Mk.63 models have been upgraded to Mk.63A standard, which involved fitment of a higher thrust Adour engine and the heavier duty wing which had both been developed for the 100 and 200 series Hawk aircraft. The four Mk.63C were delivered in this same configuration.
There is a small degree of confliction regarding the number of Hawks lost in accidents over the years. Three Mk.63A series aircraft are believed to have crashed (1003, 1008 and 1016), although official sources give confirmation of only two. Similarly, some sources suggest that six of the Mk.61 models have been lost to attrition, with official confirmation available for only five such losses. To confuse matters further, it was reported to AFM at the
Dubai International Airshow in 2003 that five remained in service!
All Hawks from these series are now flown with the
Hawk Conversion Squadron from Al Ain, a unit that forms a constituent part of the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College.
BAe Hawk Mk.102: 13 (18)
1051 to 1055, 1058, 1061 to 1063, 1065 to 1068
Abu Dhabi was the launch customer for BAe’s 100 series “Enhanced Ground Attack” Hawk model when their 1990 order was placed. Although earlier Hawk export models were “combat capable”, the twin-seat Mk.102 models supplied to Abu Dhabi came with a considerable number of improve- ments for its role as light ground attack aircraft. Weapons load increased to 3,000 kgs and the redesigned nose carried a FLIR (forward-looking infrared) imager and laser rangefinder. Several improvements to the cockpit were also made including new multi-function and head-up displays.
The UAE Hawk Mk.102s have suffered from a relatively high accident rate, with five being lost in the ten years since their delivery.
When first delivered it is believed that this Hawk model formed a weapons conversion squadron at Al Ain as part of the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College, but this no longer appears to be the case. All Hawk Mk.102 aircraft are now reportedly based at Minhad, with their primary role thought to be the light strike/ground attack mission for which this version of the type was developed and refined.
Beech 350 Super King Air: 2 (2)
801 & 802
A pair of these executive-class, twin-turboprop aircraft were ordered in 1996, and still operate with the Amiri Flight to this day.
Bell 214B: 3? (3)
Recently Noted Serials: 337 & 338
Although three Bell 214B helicopters were reportedly still in use with 6 Squadron at Al Bateen in 2002, the total quantity procured over the past twenty years by Dubai remains unconfirmed.
Boeing-Meridionali CH-47C Chinook: ? (12)
Serials Unknown
It was first reported in 2003 that the UAE had acquired twelve Italian-built CH-47C Chinooks that had been supplied to the Libyan Army in 1979 as part of a batch of twenty. However, it now seems likely that the acquisition of at least some of these helicopters took place even earlier, as some were seen at the Umm an Nar airstrip in Abu Dhabi during 2002. It is thought these were delivered directly from Libya to be used for training purposes.
In a recently announced contract award it was confirmed that at least four of the Chinooks will be upgraded to a specification similar to the Italian Army’s CH-47C+ standard, with the work taking place at Frosinone in Italy under the auspices of AgustaWestland and Piaggio Aero Industries. The upgrade includes a thorough airframe overhaul, new avionics suite, replacement engines and composite rotor blades, allowing for an increase in maximum takeoff weight to just under 27 tonnes.
The Chinooks are being acquired for the use of the UAE’s
Special Operations Command.
CASA C-295MPA: (4)
On Order
Four of the maritime patrol specification
Persuader variant have been ordered in preference to the original choice of the smaller CN,235 for the same role. These will be supplied with EADS’ Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) already installed.
CASA-IPTN CN.235M-100: 7 (7)
810 to 816
The order for seven was placed with the Indonesian manufacturer IPTN in 1991, and the UAE relinquished their five DHC-5D Buffaloes in part-exchange as part of the deal. All seven CN.235s were delivered by 1995 and serve with the
CASA Squadron at Al Bateen, predominantly in the light/short-range transportation role, replacing four smaller CASA 212A
Aviocars.
Dassault Mirage 2000DAD/EAD/RAD: 33 (36)
Original Batches
2000DAD:
701 to 706
2000EAD:
731 to 752
2000RAD:
711 to 718
The UAE’s “original” Mirage 2000 aircraft were ordered in 1983 but deliveries only began some six years later due to delays concerning the choice of avionics suite. The order consisted of three distinct sub-types: twenty-two single-seat fighters designated EAD, six two-seater DAD trainers and eight single-seat RAD optimized for reconnaissance tasks. Although primarily a recce asset, the RAD variant’s mission is accomplished with a variety of bolt-on pods rather than an internal camera and sensor system, so can easily be configured for standard interceptor or strike tasks.
Although receiving little coverage, UAE Mirages flew over sixty sorties during the 1991 Gulf War, including six reconnaissance and fifty-eight interdiction/strike missions against Iraqi infantry and mechanized targets.
Operations of the original export-specification Mirage 2000 were relatively short-lived with the UAEAF&AD, however, as the decision was taken in 1998 to place an order for thirty of the vastly superior 2000-9 model and upgrade the surviving fleet of thirty-three to the same standard.
Dassault Mirage 2000-9/2000-9DAD/2000-9RAD: (63)
Serial Ranges
2000-9DAD:
701 to 711, 763 to 766
2000-9EAD:
720 to 759
2000-9RAD:
712 to 719?, 760 to 762?
At an estimated cost of around $3.4 billion, the UAE’s Mirage 2000-9 purchase and upgrade programme comes second to only the F-16
Desert Falcon project both in terms of cost and capabilities. The 1998 contract included the supply of thirty new-build aircraft and the retrofitting of the thirty-three surviving Mirage 2000 platforms from the original order. First deliveries took place in 2003, although at least one of the two-seat DAD prototypes had been operating with Dassault at Istres in France since 2002, at least. This was the aircraft that crashed on April 4th, 2005 with both crewmembers successfully ejecting after a reported engine malfunction.
The exact breakdown of the serial number batches is still unclear at this time, as it appears the RAD variants may no longer have a block to themselves, but fall into the large range allocated to the “vanilla” EAD interceptor/strike aircraft.
A large and impressive array of weapons systems are also being procured specifically for the new Mirage fleet, most significantly the
Black Shaheen stand-off air-to-ground missile that has been developed specifically for the UAE from MBDA’s
Scalp/Storm Shadow. Air-to-air munitions being procured include MICA, in both infrared and electromagnetic versions, also supplied by MBDA.
DHC-6-300 Twin Otter: 1 (1)
2277
A fairly surprising recent addition to the air force’s fleet, this 25 year-old Twin Otter was purchased secondhand in the USA and flown to the UAE in late 2004. Its current role is yet to be discovered.
Eurocopter AS.332 Super Puma: 8 (8)
AS.332B:
121 to 126
AS.332M:
127 & 128
Original deliveries of the Super Pumas were to the Abu Dhabi AF and took place in 1982 and 1983. Five were retrofitted for the anti-surface and ant-submarine warfare roles at Eurocopter’s Marignane plant as part of the
Alcyon contract, which was concluded in 1996. This included the fitment of sonar equipment, the
Eurotorp torpedo system and SM39
Exocet missiles for use against surface shipping, and the Super Pumas were re-delivered to the UAE Navy at Al Bateen.
Eurocopter AS.350B3 Ecureuil / AS.550C3 Fennec: 30+ (?)
Known Serials:
AS.350B3
145 to 156
AS.550C3
23xx Range
A degree of confusion still surrounds the fairly recent procurement of Ecureuil and Fennec light helicopters. Initial deliveries of the AS.350B3 began in 2001 to the Rotary Squadron at Al Ain, ostensibly to replace the long-serving Bell 206B Jet Rangers in the training role. However, a decision to contract-out helicopter training to the Al Ain-based
Horizon International Flight Academy appears to have resulted in at least one example of this model being returned to Eurcopter for resale to Jordan (see AFM May 2005, p.19).
The total amount of AS.550C3 ordered remains unconfirmed at present. Although the exact specifications of the Fennecs ordered by the UAE have not been disclosed, they are believed to include removable axial hardpoints for the fitment of weapons such as TOW rockets or cannon for operating in the reconnaissance/observation and fire support roles.
Eurocopter AS.365N3/EC155B-1 Dauphin II: 4 (4)
AS.365N3:
2001
, 2002&2017
EC155B1:
2003
The first two Dauphins were acquired in 1999, with the third and fourth examples being added in 2002 and 2004, respectively. All four are assumed to have been acquired for VIP flying duties.
Eurocopter AS.565SB Panther: 7 (7)
191 to 197
Purchased as part of the UAE Navy’s
Alcyon contract in 1996, which also included the retrofit of five AS.332 Super Pumas for ASW duties and the supply of weapons for both helicopter types. The seven Panthers are fitted with the Thales
Agrion radar and MBDA’s AS.15TT anti-ship missile for use against surface targets. The multi-purpose nature of their equipment suite also allows these versatile helicopters to perform search and rescue, vertical replenishment, casualty evacuation and even VIP transportation duties as and when required. Deliveries took place in 2001 and 2002.
Grob G 115TA Acro: 12 (12)
961 to 972
Twelve of these lightweight basic trainers were ordered in 1995 and delivered during 1997. An option for an additional twelve aircraft hasn’t been acted upon and rumours circulating at the Dubai International Airshow in 2003 were that a replacement better suited to the hot an arid local conditions may be sort in future.
The twelve Grobs all serve in the student screening and
ab initio pilot training role at Al Ain’s Khalifa bin Zayed Air College.
Learjet 35A: 2 (2)
800 (& 801?)
Two secondhand Learjet 35A aircraft have been purchased and pressed into service with the UAE’s
Naval Aviation Group at Al Bateen. The first example, serial number 800, received extensive modifications with FR Aviation at Bournemouth and can carry a number of threat simulation and target pods. If the second aircraft is to be similarly modified remains to be seen, but this was only procured as recently as September 2004.
Lockheed C-130H/C-130H-30/L-100-30 Hercules: 8 (10)
Dubai:
311 & 312
Abu Dhabi:
1211 to 1216
The two Hercules nominally operated by Dubai’s
Transport Squadron (311 and 312) were bought as new aircraft from Lockheed in 1981 and 1983, respectively. Both are of the stretched -30 variety, the former a military-spec C-130H, the latter a civilian L-100 model.
Abu Dhabi’s first two C-130H Hercules were also bought straight from the production line back in 1975. Whilst another pair was added to the fleet in 1981, the original 1975 purchases were sold back to Lockheed in 1984 in part-exchange for two other brand new examples. The two “trade-ins” went on to serve with the Canadian Forces.
In more recent years, two other examples have been obtained via the secondhand market. The first addition consisted of a former Air Gabon L-100-30 in 2001, with the most recent following suit in 2003, this being an ex-Gabonese Government aircraft. Both were overhauled at SOGERMA in Bordeaux before delivery into UAE service.
Lockheed Martin F-16E/F (Block 60) Desert Falcon: Order Comprises 55 F-16E & 25 F-16F
F-16E:
3026 to 3080 (00-6001 to 00-6055)*
F-16F:
3001 to 3025 (00-6056 to 00-6080)*
* As the F-16E/F contract was negotiated as a direct commercial sale, the US-style serials that the aircraft carry in addition to their UAE identities are not FMS (Foreign Military Sales) assignments in the strictest sense. It is thought these are carried for administrative purposes whilst the aircraft are operating as part of the 162nd Fighter Wing in Tucson, AZ.
Concluded in March 2000, the deal for the UAE’s eighty Block 60 F-16E/F
Desert Falcons was reported to represent a huge investment amounting to around $6.4 billion. Lockheed Martin have described the Block 60 configuration as the most significant step forward in terms of systems upgrades and capabilities during the course of the whole F-16 programme. With the inclusion of such items as the APG-80
Agile Beam AESA (active electronically-scanned antenna) radar, a 32,500lb thrust General-Electric engine and all-new avionics suites and cockpit, it is hard to disagree with this assessment. (For more detail on the
Desert Falcon’s specifications and the range of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance being integrated, please see AFM Feb. 2004, p.16).
Initial deliveries have been made to Tucson, where pilots are undergoing training with the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Fighter Wing. The first F-16F aircraft were inducted in October 2004 and the unit has expanded month by month with the arrival of new additions from the assembly line in Fort Worth. The fleet currently stands at around ten of the two-seat F-16F (serials 3005 to 3014) and ten single-seat F-16E (3028 to 3037). The first consignment of aircraft for delivery directly to the UAE is expected sometime during May this year. Final deliveries are expected during 2007.
McDonnell Douglas Helicopters AH-64A Apache: 30 (30)
50 to 79 (FMS Serials 90-0465 to 0470, 92-0498 to 0511, 94-0338 to 0347)
The thirty Apache helicopters were ordered and delivered in two separate batches. The first contract for twenty examples was agreed in 1990 and fulfilled between 1993 and 1995, whilst the follow-on order for ten additions placed in 1994 and completed in 1996. No Apaches have been lost to accidents to date.
Plans were announced in 2002 that an upgrade of the entire fleet to AH-64D Longbow standard was being considered, with the purchase of additional new-build examples also being mooted. No news regarding these proposals has been made public since the original declaration, however. One other notable future change in prospect for the Apache fleet is a switch from the air force infrastructure to direct control by that of the army. First discussed a year or so ago, developments regarding this news are also awaited.
Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4: 1 (2)
2215
Two of these versatile Swiss-built STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft were delivered in October 1989, but only a single example is confirmed as remaining in service in 2005.
Pilatus PC-7: 30 (31)
901 to 908, 910 to 931
The first fourteen entered the inventory as long ago as 1982, with a further ten being added during 1985. After a decade of exemplary service another seven aircraft were added to the training fleet at Al Ain in 1996/7. One of these is thought to have been an attrition replacement for serial number 909, which is believed to have crashed.
All thirty remaining PC-7s serve with the
Flying Squadron as a constituent part of the training syllabus at the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College, based at Al Ain.
Shorts SD330: 2 (2)
319 & 331
One of the two SD330 light transports seen in UAE service (s/n 331) was actually delivered to the Sharjah-based Amiri Guard Air Wing during the 1980s. This was transferred to Dubai by 1995 and it is believed to remain in service to this day. The second aircraft was first seen in 2004 and its provenance is a mystery. That these are one and the same aircraft, having been subjected to a change of serial during the intervening years, cannot be ruled out at this point!
RECENT WITHDRAWALS & DISPOSALS
Bell 205A-1 (5):
330 to 334
The final five examples of the venerable
Huey in service with the Dubai Air Wing were transferred to the Royal Air Force of Oman by 2002.
Bell 206B Jet Ranger (9):
161, 164, 166, 167, 169, 170 to 172 & 174
Following the purchase of AS.350B3 Ecureuils, and then the privatisation of rotary wing training, the last few Jet Rangers became surplus to requirements and the majority were placed into storage at Al Ain by 2001. Some of the Jet Rangers have passed-on into the service of the company now responsible for the UAEAF&AD’s rotary wing training:
Horizon International Flight Academy. Reports during 2004 suggested that the UAE would donate some of these to the nascent Iraqi Air Force, if a requirement was found. One example (s/n 167) serves in a ground instructional role with the Abu Dhabi Men’s College.
Dassault Mirage IIIEAD and 5AD/DAD/RAD: (14, 12, 3, 3)
IIIEAD:
501 to 504
5AD:
401 to 412
5DAD:
201 to 203
5RAD:
601 to 603
The survivors from the original thirty-two Mirage III and 5 aircraft that are believed to have entered service with Abu Dhabi soldiered-on until being finally retired in 1998 and 1999. Their subsequent fate remained a matter of conjecture until it was confirmed that eleven, at least, remain stored at Minhad AB as recently as November 2004.
Macchi MB.326KD/LD (8):
201 to 208
Originally supplied to Dubai as two batches of four aircraft each, in 1974 and 1979. Two were lost in accidents during the early 1980s, but the six surviving aircraft remained in service with the Flying Training Academy at Minhad AB until their withdrawal in 1999. Two were donated by the Air Force to the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Men’s Colleges for use as static instructional airframes, whilst a third now guards the gate at Al Ain.
Shorts SC.7-3M Skyvan (2):
310 & 320
A Skyvan was delivered to the Amiri Guard Air Wing in 1986 and it is believed subsequently transferred to enter service with the UAEAF&AD. However, two Skyvans were seen withdrawn from use in 2004 (in Dubai and at Al Bateen) but it is not known which of these this ex-AGAW aircraft is nor from whence the second originates!
SIAI Marchetti SF260TP (6):
313 to 317
Six were originally delivered to Dubai in 1984, but one was lost in an accident very shortly after entering service. The five survivors were sold to a private American company in 2001 and shipped to the US the following year, where most remain available for sale to this day.
Copyright, and all rights reserved, Steve Rush 2005
Touchdown_News@btopenworld.com
Corrections, additions and comments to anything in this article are more than welcomed at the
e-mail address above.
