LE BOURGET // The UAE Air Force has bought two P180 Avanti II aircraft from Piaggio Aero, an Italian firm 35 per cent owned by Mubadala Development, it was announced at the Paris Air Show yesterday.
Piaggio also received an order for the twin turboprop aircraft from Susi Air of West Java, Indonesia, in some of the only new aircraft orders at an air show subdued by the global economic slowdown.
"The UAE Air Force's selection of the Avanti II confirms the commitment of Piaggio Aero to maintain a priority relationship with one of the most important and selective markets in the world," said Alberto Galassi, the chief executive of Piaggio Aero.
The aircraft will be used for transporting specialised staff and medical evacuation, and will be outfitted with a kit that allows it to be quickly turned into an air ambulance, Piaggio said.
Susi Air will focus on VIP charter and medical evacuation for the Avanti II, which is known for its unique propeller location behind the wings, in addition to its fixed forward wings.
Mubadala, an investment arm of the Government, bought its stake in the Italian company in April 2006 to take advantage of Piaggio's expertise with the emirate's burgeoning aerospace industry.
Also yesterday, Airbus received an order for 24 A320-family aircraft from Qatar Airways in a deal worth US$1.9 billion (Dh6.97bn) at list prices.
Another Italian firm with deep ties to the Emirates, Finmeccanica, yesterday said it had begun contract negotiations with the UAE Armed Forces for 48 jet trainers, after a memorandum of understanding was signed at the IDEX defence show in Abu Dhabi in February.
"The UAE has selected the aircraft and has started negotiations for the acquisition of 48 M-346 aircraft," Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, the chairman and chief executive of Finmeccanica, said yesterday. "We also hope to enter into the region's homeland security activities, such as border control."
Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica subsidiary, is also pursuing a joint venture with Abu Dhabi Autonomous System Investments - a subsidiary of the government-backed Tawazun - to design and develop medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle systems, Dow Jones reported.
Alenia Aeronautical is also one of the first customers for Strata Manufacturing, a composites maker owned by Mubadala, from which it will buy aerostructure parts.
Another Finmeccanica subsidiary, SELEX Sistemi Integrati, recently won a contract to supply the Navy with command and control systems for patrol boats.
igale@thenational.ae
German tenants for air zone, b4
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
Apple product price list
iPad Pro
11" - $799 (64GB)
12.9" - $999 (64GB)
MacBook Air
$1,199
Mac Mini
$799
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.