Above, Embraer unveils the KC-390 cargo aircraft in 2014. Paulo Whitaker / Reuetrs
Above, Embraer unveils the KC-390 cargo aircraft in 2014. Paulo Whitaker / Reuetrs

Idex 2017: Embraer aims for first aviation order from Middle East



The Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer will try to get a foothold in the Middle East's tactical air transport sector at Idex this week, looking for the first major regional order for its new KC-390, which competes with Lockheed's famous C-130 Hercules class.

The sector covers the huge aircraft that can transport not only a special forces detachment – the KC-390 carries up to 80 people – but also their light armoured vehicles and other equipment.

Embraer has been marketing the aircraft aggressively – “the advanced and modern option to replace legacy medium-lift aircraft”, its literature says, in reference to the C-130 and other rivals – and has secured an order from the Brazilian Air Force.

Competition is tough. In December, it lost out on a C$2.4 billion (Dh6.73bn) order to supply 16 aircraft to the Canadian air force’s search and rescue branch, which was won by Airbus with its C295W, which was apparently a much cheaper option (slightly over half the unit cost of the KC-390, at about US$28 million each, with lower fuel and running costs too, according to industry press reports).

But others also lost out, including Canada’s own Bombardier Q400, as well as the C-130J, the new Hercules model, Alenia’s C-27J Spartan and Viking Air’s DHC-5NG.

Embraer is in the running for New Zealand’s air force, having responded to its request for information, and there is a chance in the UAE, which has a need for up to 12 aircraft to replace ageing C-130s and to expand the fleet, according to IHS Jane’s, which tracks and analyses global military developments.

Jackson Schneider, the chief executive of Embraer Defense & Security, said the company tested the KC-390 for the UAE Air Force under demanding desert conditions, in part to answer critics who have suggested that its turbojet engines are more vulnerable to rough flying and landing conditions than turboprop craft, which includes the C-130J.

“We had the opportunity in the middle of last year to do a debut tour in the region, specifically in Abu Dhabi where the plane flew in very strategic conditions,” said Mr Schneider. “We performed a very severe test and it was successful, even exceeded some of the parameters.”

He also noted that the KC-390 had to perform in jungle conditions in the Amazon to win its domestic Brazilian air force order, also had to demonstrate effectiveness in the Antarctic, where the Brazilian air force also expects to use the craft.

The Brazilian order in 2014, which was for 24 planes plus a logistical support package, spare parts and maintenance, was for a total of about $3bn. But Mr Schneider said the competition is never on unit price alone but includes the specific needs of the service.

Embraer says it expects KC-390’s initial operational capability declaration in the second half of 2017 and the certification of the final operational capability in the second half of 2018, after which it can commence deliveries. In terms of its operational qualities, it flies higher, faster and further than its rivals and can carry up to 26,000 tonnes, which puts it at the top end of its category.

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Idex 2017

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UAE will count on technologies to keep terror threats at bay

South African defence firm targets region with military variant of light aircraft

Bell Helicopter eyes Gulf deals

Preparation for Idex under way in Abu Dhabi - in pictures

__________________________________

amcauley@thenational.ae

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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UAE tour of the Netherlands

UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match

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The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

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Dolittle

Director: Stephen Gaghan

Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen

One-and-a-half out of five stars

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RESULTS

Time; race; prize; distance

4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)

4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed

5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili

8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
FIGHT%20CARD
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Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

How to turn your property into a holiday home
  1. Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
  2. Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
  3. Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
  4. Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
  5. Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli

Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES

All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated

Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona

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.

Squad for first two ODIs

Kohli (c), Rohit, Dhawan, Rayudu, Pandey, Dhoni (wk), Pant, Jadeja, Chahal, Kuldeep, Khaleel, Shami, Thakur, Rahul.