Dubai Civil Defence signs deal to buy 20 jetpacks

The memorandum of understanding, which was signed at Dubai Airshow, will also include simulators, spares parts, support services and both pilot and engineer training for appropriate civil defence and fire service personnel.

Martin Jetpack unveiled the Dubai Civil Defence-branded jetpack at the airshow, after it made its debut at Paris Airshow in June.

Peter Coker, CEO of Martin Jetpack told Arabian Business that the local authority in Dubai was one of a number of Middle East government agencies interested in looking at investing in the technology, which has been around for a number of years.

“It was designed about 35 years ago, so it has gone through a lot of design ever since, and now we’re into commercialisation,” Coker told Arabian Business.

“There are two ducted fans driven by a two-litre, two-stroke V4 engine, which has 200 horsepower. It flies 74 kph, up to 3,000 feet, and has about 30 to 45 minute endurance right now. It can carry up to 120 kilograms and can be flown manned or unmanned, like a UAV [Unmanned Aerial Vehicle] or a drone. Of course, it’s a heavy-flight UAV unlike the little ones that carry up to 8 kilograms, we can carry up to 120 kilograms.”

The Martin Jetpack, which is able to be flown by a pilot or via remote control, can take off and land vertically (VTOL) and because of its small dimensions, it can operate in confined spaces such as close to or between buildings, near trees or in confined areas that other VTOL aircraft such as helicopters cannot access.

This highly responsive tactical air asset allows for rapid deployment for Civil Defence roles such as; Intelligent surveillance, Initial intervention, heavy lift payload drone, high rise rescue, and rapid deployment of specialist teams.

As an added safety feature, the jetpack features a low opening ballistic parachute along with carbon fibre landing gear and pilot module.

The jetpack is expected to retail at somewhere between $200,000 and $250,000, making Dubai Civil Defence’s deal worth somewhere in the region of $5 million.

Lt Col Ali Almutawa, director of operations at Dubai Civil Defence, said the jetpacks will enable first responders in the emirate to give a fast and professional service when it comes to dealing with emergencies in Dubai.

“Dubai is one of the fastest growing future cities in the world, with its modern skyscrapers and vast infrastructure. It has always been a world leader in adapting new technology to improve and save people’s lives, [and] the introduction of Martin Jetpacks into our fleet of emergency response vehicles is another example of how Dubai leads the world,” he said.

The deal will also include initial training services and operational support with sale is subject to agreeing a supply contract.