The United Arab Emirates has let contracts to Boeing and Lockheed Martin for the purchase of four C-17s and 12 C-130Js, respectively, according to press reports emanating from this week’s IDEX defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Reuters news wire service reported that the C-17 deal is worth about $1.2 billion and the C-130J contract around $1.6 billion, citing a UAE defense official. Boeing announced yesterday that the UAE intends to acquire the C-17, but offered no specifics as to numbers and notional delivery dates. Instead, it said only, “We look forward to partnering with the UAE as it strengthens its airlift capabilities with the C-17.” Earlier this month, Boeing mentioned the UAE as one of several Middle East nations interested in the C-17. (For more, read yesterday’s Associated Press report).
Boeing Claims Progress on T-7 and Other Challenged Programs
April 25, 2025
Boeing appears to have become to overcome the problems that led to billions in losses on fixed-price defense contracts in recent years, point the company back toward profitabily, says Boeing president and CEO Kelly Ortberg.