Communications

15.11 - 19.11.2009
 
Dubai,
Finmeccanica take part at the Dubai Airshow from 15 to 19 November. The Italian group, world leader in the aeronautics sector, will be present through its companies Alenia Aeronautica (aircraft, aerostructures), Alenia Aermacchi (trainer aircraft), AgustaWestland (helicopters), SELEX Communications (secure communications solutions) and SELEX Galileo (avionics, radar, UAV), which will display their capabilities in the aeronautics sector.

Finmeccanica's presence at the Dubai Airshow is particularly significant in light of the partnership agreement in the hi-tech aeronautics sector signed in October 2008 between Finmeccanica and the Mubadala Development Company to manufacture structural components in composite materials at a plant in Al Ain, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The ceremony to officially open the plant took place on 14 November 2009.

Furthermore, the selection by the UAE government of 48 Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master lead-in fighter trainer aircraft, the most cutting-edge solution for current advanced training needs for military pilots, was a source of great satisfaction for Finmeccanica. The selection confirmed the excellence of these new generation trainer aircraft, recently purchased by the Italian government, and represented a significant success for Italy's aeronautics industry.

The UAE also offers opportunities for Alenia Aeronautica's C-27J tactical transport aircraft, which is generating considerable interest throughout the Gulf region. Its special features (multifunctionality and take-off and landing capability on short and semi-prepared runways under 500 metres in length) make it particularly suitable for the region. Alenia Aeronautica, the world leader in regional turboprop aircraft, also plans to promote the special versions of the ATR series: the ATR 42MP and ATR 72MP (for maritime patrol) and the ATR 72ASW (for anti-submarine warfare).

The United Arab Emirates represent a strategic country for Finmeccanica, and for this reason, it opened an office in Abu Dhabi last year. Group companies have had a presence in the UAE for years and have numerous partnerships with Emirate companies.

In 2005, in association with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), SELEX Sistemi Integrati set up the joint venture Abu Dhabi Systems Integration - ADSI (of which SELEX Sistemi Integrati owns 43% and Abu Dhabi Ship Building 57%), which is active in the defence and homeland security sector. 
 
The joint venture ADSI is currently involved in manufacturing and integrating the combat system of the six BAYNUNAH corvettes for the UAE Navy, from which it also secured a contract, as part of the Ghannatha programme, to supply command and control systems to be fitted to the new high-speed patrol boats for the UAE armed forces.

Finmeccanica was also selected by the UAE Navy to supply - through its companies SELEX Sistemi Integrati, Oto Melara and Wass - naval and underwater systems for a new Abu Dhabi class ship of the UAE Navy.