The United Arab Emirates Air Force will upgrade two of its aircraft into maritime patrol aircraft according to officials speaking at the Paris Air Show.

Two Bombardier Dash 8-300 aircraft will be equipped with advanced maritime patrol systems by Thales and Provincial Aerospace.

The craft will support the UAE in air observation, surveillance and intervention capabilities.

Maritime patrol involves the use of long-range aircraft for sea pollution detection, military missions against surface ships or submarines and littoral operations during crises.

The aircraft will be fitted with a mission system based on Thales’s airborne maritime situation and control system.

The system designed around a tactical command subsystem with radar, Sonobuoy acoustic processor, electronic support measures, communication and identification system will help detect surface ships and submarines.