UAE signed a $361mn deal for 8 Piaggio P.1HH Hammerhead UAVs

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World Defense & Security News - UAE
 
 
UAE signed a $361mn deal for 8 Piaggio P.1HH Hammerhead UAVs
 
The UAE on Monday signed a deal worth $361.2 million with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company (ADASI) for eight Piaggio P.1HH Hammerhead unmanned aerial vehicles, UAE Armed Forces General Headquarters announced on its website on Tuesday, March 8.
     
UAE signed a 361mn deal for 8 Piaggio P 1HH Hammerhead UAVs 640 001Piaggio P.1HH Hammerhead Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
(Credit: Piaggio Aerospace)
     
The agreement, signed on the second day of Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX 2016) in Abu Dhabi was announced by Brigadier General Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, chairman of Higher Organising Committee of the show.

The drones will be equipped with EO/IR (Electro-Optical Infra-Red) cameras, radar and communications systems, in addition to training, spare parts and maintenance. The Italy-based company is currently controlled by Mubadala, an UAE-based strategic investment firm.

Earlier on Monday, it was reported that sales of drones and other UAVs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are expected to rise as political instability prompts governments to hike defence budgets, experts claim.


Already purchased by the Italian Air Force, the Hammerhead is an unmanned variant of Piaggio's P.180 business jet.

The P.1HH Hammerhead is able to climb up to 45.000 feet, loitering quietly at low speed (135 KTAS) for an endurance of up to 16 flight hours and dashing at very high speed (up to 395 KTAS) to target. Its capabilities include being able to host several payload combinations and to perform multiple missions: aerial, land, coastal, maritime and offshore security, COMINT/ELINT, electronic warfare as well as other roles.