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Arms race dominates Dubai air show

* Gulf region leads global race for new fighter jets
* US to showcase F-22 fighter plane
* Ethiopian Airlines confirms $2.9bn Airbus order

DUBAI: Rising tensions in the Middle East have increased demand for military hardware as demonstrated at the Dubai Air Show, which opened on Sunday.

The Dubai Air Show witnessed an increase in the demand for fighter planes, but recession means fewer orders for civilian jets.

Ethiopian Airlines offered a glimmer of hope on the civil side, with a $2.9 billion order for 12 Airbus A350s. The European plane maker expects to earn up to $3.5 billion in airline orders early in the four-day show.

But it was the Gulf region’s role as the world’s busiest arms market that dominated day one of the largest Middle Eastern showcase for aviation.

Chief executive of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis Riad Kahawaji said, “With more threats and continued tensions, you will have continued demand for new systems and new capabilities, and that is why we have seen ongoing interest in upgrading and renewing fighter fleets.”

The UAE is in talks with France’s Dassault Aviation to buy Rafale combat jets which will be on display from November 15-18 at the air show. But analysts say the United States has not given up on grabbing a deal.

Kuwait and Oman are also looking forward to renewing their fighter fleets. It has been reported that Saudi Arabia is also looking forward to expand a recent purchase of Euro fighter Typhoons and was talking to Boeing about F-15s.

US showcased the world’s most advanced fighter jet, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. The 14-minute display by the Raptor was aimed at displaying America’s military prowess and at promoting US interests in the Gulf Arab region.

Airbus rival Boeing sees signs of recovery in the freighter market but plane makers face two more lean years before passenger jet demand picks up in 2012, an executive estimates.

Sources said Air Austral, based in France’s overseas territory of La Reunion in the Indian Ocean, confirmed an order for two Airbus A380 super jumbos on Sunday. reuters

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