Airbus has chalked up orders for a further five aircraft from its ACJ family to bring total commitments to its various corporate/VIP types to more than 150.
The aviation division of Middle Eastern construction, logistics, manufacturing and shipping corporation Al Jaber Group has placed a new firm order for two A319-based Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs) and revealed a previously undisclosed order for two A318 Elites. The deal makes Al Jaber Aviation the largest single taker for the ACJ family in the Middle East, with total orders for six aircraft, including a previously announced pair of A318 Elites.
Comlux Aviation, the VIP charter division of Comlux Aviation Group, has ordered an A320 Prestige for use in the Middle East market. Comlux already operates an A318 Elite and an ACJ, and has ordered a further three Elites, another ACJ, another A320 Prestige and an A330-200 Prestige.
Comlux Aviation has operated its first Airbus ACJ for several years and last year became the first to put the A318 Elite into service, flying it for 1,200 hours in the first 12 months.
The A318 Elite is the newest Airbus corporate/VIP aircraft. Its affordability is enhanced by a standardised 18-passenger interior supplied by exclusive completions provider Lufthansa Technik.
Airbus’s tally of 150+ orders for corporate/VIP aircraft comprises more than a hundred ACJ-family units and around 50 Prestige versions of the A330, A340, A350 and A380. In the year to date the company has recorded contracts for a total of 28 aircraft, including eight A350s and an A340-500.
The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
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