Maximus Air (Abu Dhabi International) has secured a AED1.79 billion dirham (USD487 million) contract from the Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the purchase of an unspecified number of cargo aircraft.

Once delivered, the freighters will be used for commercial purposes.

According to the Gulf Times, the order is one of ten valued at AED6.91 billion (USD1.9 billion) awarded by the UAE Armed Forces during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference arms show currently underway in Abu Dhabi.

Operating out of Abu Dhabi International since 2005, Maximus Air specializes in moving outsized and specialist air cargo including dangerous goods, live animals, VIPs, and humanitarian flights. Its fleet entails one An-124-100 and one Il-76TD.