A Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk. Reuters
A Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk. Reuters

$3.5bn upgrade for Qatar's military helicopter fleet



Qatar aims to spend more than US$3.5 billion (Dh12.85bn) upgrading its military helicopter capability with orders for 22 Sikorsky Seahawk and 12 Black Hawk aircraft as well as a basket of weapons systems and support equipment from the United States.

Requests to approve the orders have already been placed before the US Congress by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political and economic progress in the Middle East," the DSCA told Congress in its submission.

"Qatar is host to … US forces and serves as a critical forward-deployed location in the region," the agency said. "The acquisition of these helicopters will allow for greater interoperability with US forces, providing benefits for training and possible future coalition operations in support of shared regional security objectives."

The 22 new Seahawks would replace the Qatar Air Force's 12-strong fleet of ageing British-manufactured Westland Sea King helicopters, which have until now formed the country's main anti-submarine and maritime patrol force.

"The 12 Black Hawks will improve Qatar's capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical oil and natural gas infrastructure, and significant national events.

"Qatar will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defence," said the DSCA.

Qatar's full Seahawk shopping list includes: 10 MH-60R and 12 MH-60S Seahawk multi-mission helicopters; 48 T-700 GE 401C engines, with an option to purchase an additional six MH-60S aircraft and a further 13 T-700 GE 401C engines at a later date.

Communication equipment, spare engine containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment and other items would also be included in the deal.

Prime contractors would be Sikorsky Aircraft, Lockheed Martin and General Electric, and the total contract would be valued at $2.5bn.

The Black Hawk order includes 12 helicopters and other military equipment worth a total of $1.1bn.

Qatar has expressed an interest in a technical assistance team for in-country pilot and maintenance training.

To support the requirement, a team of 12 would be deployed to Qatar for approximately three years, the DSCA said.

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Draw:

Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe

Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi

Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania

Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia

Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola

Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.

The Sky Is Pink

Director: Shonali Bose

Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf

Three stars

RESULT

Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds:
 Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')

Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)

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Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE squad

Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind

Fixtures

Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE

The biog

Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah

Date of birth: 15 November, 1951

Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”

Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry

Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Cry Macho

Director: Clint Eastwood

Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam

Rating:**

The specs

The specs: 2019 Audi Q8
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 340hp @ 3,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
 

The specs

Engine 60kwh FWD

Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry

Power 204hp Torque 360Nm

Price, base / as tested Dh174,500 

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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

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Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

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