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DUBAI, May 9 (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates has pulled out of a deal with Airbus (AIR.PA) The purchase of 12 H225M Caracal utility helicopters is worth around 800 million euros ($880.6 million), Breaking Defense magazine reported on Tuesday.
The Washington-based publication quoted Muammar Abdulla Abushehab, an official with the UAE’s Defense and Security Procurement Agency, as saying the decision was not political but based on financial and technical reasons.
These include high life-cycle costs, limitations in adapting to mission requirements and complex technical proposals, the official said in a May 8 interview.
The UAE government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Airbus Helicopters declined to comment in detail.
“We have served the UAE military for more than 40 years. We are proud of our relationship, which also serves the bilateral relationship between France and the UAE,” an Airbus spokesman said.
“We do not comment on discussions with clients.”
The H225M is a long-range tactical transport aircraft similar to the Super Puma VIP, maritime and search and rescue helicopters.
The order, which was placed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Abu Dhabi in December 2021 and which also included a contract for 80 Rafale fighter jets, is seen as an important response amid falling demand for oil and gas. A boost to assembly lines in southern France.
($1 = 0.9084 EUR)
By Lisa Barrington Additional reporting by Tim Hepher Editing by David Goodman
Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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