DTN News - UAE DEFENSE NEWS: UAE May Buy More F-16s....NSI News Source Info # 2182
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / PARIS, France - July 8, 2011: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now talking with Lockheed Martin about buying more F-16 fighter aircraft because France's offer of an advanced version of the Rafale combat jet is seen as too expensive, said a source familiar with the negotiations in the gulf.
"The UAE is finding the Rafale offer to be too costly compared to the capabilities of aircraft and other technologies on the market," the source said. "The negotiations with France are still ongoing and both sides are looking for a compromise."
The UAE has been seen as a potential first export buyer of the Dassault Rafale in a deal estimated at $10 billion. Meetings on the Rafale sale were held at the Paris Air Show, which ended June 26.
But price resistance has led UAE officials to open discussions with Lockheed Martin to buy more F-16s with the latest "weaponry and targeting sensors," the source said.
Last year, UAE officials asked for technical information on the Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, following a political chill at the highest levels between Abu Dhabi and Paris.
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