Emirates Airlines unveiled a preliminary order worth $15 billion for 40 Boeing (BA.N) jets on Sunday, with the opening of the Dubai Air Show. A spokesman also said on Sunday that the UAE Ministry of Defense announced a deal with Lockheed Martin worth six billion dirhams ($1.63 billion) to modernize F-16 fighter jets. “The deal is aimed at modernizing 80 F-16 fighter jets,” Major General Abdullah al-Hashimi, executive director of the military committee and spokesman for the UAE Armed Forces, told a news conference. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the 15th edition of the Dubai Air Show, expressing hope that the international event hosted by Dubai every two years would achieve the desired success. Commenting on the Emirates’ commitment to the purchase of 40 Boeing aircrafts, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Airline said: “Emirates’ orders today will be delivered as of 2022, taking the airline well into the 2030s.” “Some of these will be replacements so that we maintain a young and efficient fleet, and others will power our future network growth,” he added. Sheikh Ahmed went on to say: “We see the 787 as a great complement to our 777 and A380 fleet, providing us with more flexibility to serve a range of destinations as we develop our global route network.” For his part, Kevin McAllister, head of Boeing commercial aviation division, said: “We are excited that Emirates has selected the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner to power its fleet expansion and future growth.” “Emirates’ endorsement of the 787 Dreamliner extends our long-standing partnership and will sustain many jobs in the United States,” he added.