A Calidus B-250 Light Attack aircraft sits on display at the Dubai Airshow 2023. The trainer variant, painted orange, is in the background. (Agnes Helou / Breaking Defense)
DUBAI AIRSHOW — The air force of the United Arab Emirates has signed a deal to acquire 40 B-250 trainer aircraft from Abu Dhabi-based Calidus, the first deal ever for the trainer aircraft, according to CEO Khalifa Alblooshi.
“A letter of intent was signed today between Calidus and the UAE air force, and we expect the delivery of these aircraft to start by mid-2026,” Alblooshi exclusively told Breaking Defense.
Alblooshi did not say how much the deal was worth, but it also includes ground-based training simulators and Part Task Trainers.
Calidus has set production lines for the B-250 T turboprop plane at its Al Ain facility.
“Calidus target is to localize aircraft production in the UAE, and to support the air force cadets training in the country,” the CEO said.
The light attack version of the B-250 received its first order during Dubai Airshow 2019 from the UAE air force for 24 aircraft, and Alblooshi said the first aircraft is “ready for delivery.” A B-250 LA is among the static displays at the Dubai Airshow this year.
The B-250 T was also on display at the airshow, equipped with Desert Sting and Thunder missiles made by a Al Tariq, a subsidiary of Emirati defense conglomerate EDGE Group.
The B-250 is the first aircraft made in the UAE based on local intellectual property, development and production. Calidus is also in the process of developing a new aircraft, the B-350, but not much of the program is known yet.
