UAE plans to buy Hellfire missiles

Dubai: The UAE has asked to buy US-made missiles and warning systems, a US Department of Defence agency said.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, a Pentagon group, has formally informed the US Congress of the possible sale, UPI reported.

A release from DSCA said the UAE was seeking 362 Hellfire missiles, common missile warning systems, radar-warning receivers along with equipment and services those devices demand. The estimated cost of the deal is $526 million.

The Hellfire missile was developed in the 1970s as a weapon to be fired from helicopters against armored vehicles.

DSCA said if the purchase is finalised, the principal contractors would be Science and Engineering Services, Inc., BAE and Northrop Grumman, all in Maryland; Lockheed Martin departments in Florida and New York; L3 Corporation in Massachusetts; and Boeing Aircraft in Arizona.