Government Congratulates Provincial Aerospace
on Acquiring Major International Contract

The Provincial Government extended congratulations today to Provincial Aerospace Ltd. (PAL) on being awarded a major contract to supply two highly specialized maritime patrol aircraft (MPAs) to the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The contract, worth approximately $370 million, was announced by the UAE at the 2009 International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi.

�I congratulate Provincial Aerospace Ltd. on winning this lucrative contract and am very pleased to see the company�s continuing ascent as an international leader in aerospace and defence,� said the Honourable Paul Oram, Minister of Business, who attended IDEX. �The company is doing world-class work and continues to build on its already strong reputation in maritime surveillance. With its extensive experience in modification and systems integration, PAL will deliver some of the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art aircraft of their kind to the UAE Armed Forces.�

The project involves the design, modification, and integration of two aircraft, as well as training and logistics support, which will reinforce the UAE�s air surveillance and intervention capabilities.

�This is a major piece of business and a significant achievement for PAL,� said Minister Oram. �Not only is it great news for the company, but it also demonstrates to the world the kinds of unique capabilities that our province�s growing aerospace and defence sector can offer.�

Provincial Aerospace Ltd. began conducting air surveillance operations in the early 1980s off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador for its first clients in the oil exploration industry. Since that time, PAL has become a leading provider of special mission aircraft and surveillance services for military and enforcement agencies internationally, and other major clients, including the Government of Canada.

Minister Oram was in UAE with PAL and several other Atlantic Canadian firms who attended IDEX 2009, February 22-26, along with the provincial Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, ACOA, Memorial University, and Gateway Without Borders.

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Media contact:
Mark King
Director of Communications
Department of Business
709-729-7628, 699-3454
markking@gov.nl.ca

2009 02 27                                                    3:10 p.m.