The UAE has signed agreed to a €316 million euro contract to purchase eight Piaggio P.1HH Hammerhead UAVs unmanned aerial vehicles, the General Headquarters of the United Arab Emirates Armed Force (GHQ) said on Tuesday.
The aircraft will be equipped with EO/IR (Electro-Optical Infra-Red) cameras, radar and communications systems, Piaggio said in a statement, adding that the contract also covers logistic support and training.
The contract has been signed with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI).
Italy-based Piaggio is controlled by Mubadala, an Abu Dhabi-based strategic investment firm.
Last year Piaggio said the Italian Air Force, which has been closely involved in the development of the UAV, would be the launch-customer of the Hammerhead, with deliveries to start this year.
The Hammerhead is an unmanned version of Piaggio's P.180 business jet.
Email: tkington@defensenews.com
Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.
