French minister touts arms contracts in Abu Dhabi

[The SC]

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly arrived in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, following a two-day visit to India. In both countries she sought contracts for French arms manufacturers and laid the groundwork for forthcoming visits by President Emmanuel Macron.

In Abu Dhabi Parly was to meet Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, to discuss the conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

France has a bilateral defence accord with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Abu Dhabi is part.

The minister was also due to visit some of the 700 French troops stationed there as part of the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State armed group in Iraq and Syria.

Macron is to visit Abu Dhabi on 8 November for the opening of the Louvre museum’s branch there.

Parly was also expected to press for progress in negotiations with Abu Dhabi for the sale of French company Dassault's Rafale jet fighters.

http://en.rfi.fr/asia-pacific/20171029-french-minister-touts-arms-contracts-abu-dhabi-india

*The UAE got assurances from Trump in March about getting the F-35 and maybe it's a two-stage deal. The UAE gets F-15s with stealth characteristics not available in any of the exported versions to Korea, Singapore, KSA and Qatar. Including RCS reduction features, conformal weapons bays for internal weapons carriage and canted tail fins, and in Phase II,
Especially that the UAE is seeking to add a Navy aircraft carrier and the presence of the F-35 is very important for them..
The UAE is determined to acquire the fifth generation aircrafts and a project to develop an aircraft with a Russian Consortium is proof of that.. The SU-35 almost done deal is related to this project..

I think the talks with the French are also or mainly related to the desire of the UAE to add light submarines to the navy and there is a desire to involve France in this program. These submarines will be designed to be suitable for working in the waters of the Gulf and the Red Sea..

The French have the Andrasta submarine suitable for shallow water: ( Littoral Submarine )
DCNS

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/andrasta-submarine

 

[HannibalBarca]

In which fairytale loli land did UAE GET confirmation for F-35 from the US or Trump mouth....

 

[Gomig-21]

The UAE gets F-15s with stealth characteristics not available in any of the exported versions to Korea, Singapore, KSA and Qatar. Including RCS reduction features, conformal weapons bays for internal weapons carriage and canted tail fins,

Silent Eagles, ey? That would be really nice. Saudiya was supposed to get those instead of the F-15s but it never materialized. You wonder how many adjustments McD/Boeing would have to make to the current production line in order to make these.

There are also questions as to the degree of effectiveness that the changes would make to its RCS, especially the canted tails in this instance since they only begin canting 10-12 inches above the joint. The whole purpose of canted tails is at the joint itself, not above it like in this design, but maybe that aspect is different at this point in time. Weapon bays a good thing but that limits the load of course since this aircraft is not only designed for long range missions with a large internal fuel load coupled with the semi built-in CFT, but it's suppose to carry a super weapons load. The eventual SE would really be relegated to A2A missions, and nothing wrong with that as long as it can be loaded for heavy strike missions as well.

Between the F-16Es and Mirage 2000/9s, the UAE is currently operating just over 100 fighters. Guaranteed it doesn't need a huge fleet, but if it set its goals to 150-180 fighters of the highest quality, it would be all set. If it was up to me, I would keep all 55 F-16E's until their MLUs, sell all 50 Mirage 2000/9 to either Pakistan or Egypt or whomever, then replace them with 50 Rafale F4s with MICAs and Meteors and all the available munitions and then I would add 50 of the latest F/A-18E/Fs with CFT and weapons pods.

Then I would work on eventually replacing the F-16s with the F-35 if it can be done. That would give the UAE and very potent AF while being under 200 aircraft since it doesn't really need much more. Then concentrate on the navy with modern subs and the latest frigates.

 

[The SC]

Silent Eagles, ey? That would be really nice. Saudiya was supposed to get those instead of the F-15s but it never materialized. You wonder how many adjustments McD/Boeing would have to make to the current production line in order to make these.

There are also questions as to the degree of effectiveness that the changes would make to its RCS, especially the canted tails in this instance since they only begin canting 10-12 inches above the joint. The whole purpose of canted tails is at the joint itself, not above it like in this design, but maybe that aspect is different at this point in time. Weapon bays a good thing but that limits the load of course since this aircraft is not only designed for long range missions with a large internal fuel load coupled with the semi built-in CFT, but it's suppose to carry a super weapons load. The eventual SE would really be relegated to A2A missions, and nothing wrong with that as long as it can be loaded for heavy strike missions as well.

Between the F-16Es and Mirage 2000/9s, the UAE is currently operating just over 100 fighters. Guaranteed it doesn't need a huge fleet, but if it set its goals to 150-180 fighters of the highest quality, it would be all set. If it was up to me, I would keep all 55 F-16E's until their MLUs, sell all 50 Mirage 2000/9 to either Pakistan or Egypt or whomever, then replace them with 50 Rafale F4s with MICAs and Meteors and all the available munitions and then I would add 50 of the latest F/A-18E/Fs with CFT and weapons pods.

Then I would work on eventually replacing the F-16s with the F-35 if it can be done. That would give the UAE and very potent AF while being under 200 aircraft since it doesn't really need much more. Then concentrate on the navy with modern subs and the latest frigates.

It is a good proposition, still, I think the UAE will announce the SU-35 deal with Russia.. that will be instead of your F/A-18E/Fs proposition, fo the sake of diversification and mostly for total ToT for the coming UAE-Russian Light 5th generation fighter.. the US can not compete on that level at all..
I think the UAE wants the Rafale but with its own specs that seem a bit too much for France to fulfil.. they want the UAE to pay for the development alone! larger intakes, better Radar, better Spectra and avionics is what the UAE wants in order to increase the payload, the speed, the combat range, radar range and better more powerful EW suite.. it will be a completely new and unique Rafale on a higher level on the steps of the F-16 Block 60.. The UAE wants also a Squadron of the Neuron drone in its deal for 60 Rafales that was dropped to 40..and with sensitive ToT.. Yallah
And you know what, I think the UAE will get what it wants at the end..

 

[HannibalBarca]

Ah!! some of you are big Dreamers... Please stay on earth.. Thank you

 

[Gomig-21]

It is a good proposition, still, I think the UAE will announce the SU-35 deal with Russia.. that will be instead of your F/A-18E/Fs proposition, fo the sake of diversification and mostly for total ToT for the coming UAE-Russian Light 5th generation fighter.. the US can not compete on that level at all..

How serious is this whole Su-35 and UAE/Russian 5th generation fighter? If you look at the length of time it's taken the Russians to develop the PAK-FA, it's roughly 15+ years and we've seen 11 prototypes and not one single weapons testing yet, and just recently what appears to be the engine for that AC. And I think it's an absolute beauty. But considering that time frame and actual lack of viable, Russian 5th gen production platform at the moment, it doesn't seem like that would be the best way to go. This is just my opinion, because much of the essential, building blocks for a program like that with the UAE would have to be sourced from Russia or elsewhere which doesn't seem practical considering what's been mentioned. It seems like this would take at least 20 years and be monumentally challenging and that's if things went perfectly smooth.

 

[The SC]

How serious is this whole Su-35 and UAE/Russian 5th generation fighter? If you look at the length of time it's taken the Russians to develop the PAK-FA, it's roughly 15+ years and we've seen 11 prototypes and not one single weapons testing yet, and just recently what appears to be the engine for that AC. And I think it's an absolute beauty. But considering that time frame and actual lack of viable, Russian 5th gen production platform at the moment, it doesn't seem like that would be the best way to go. This is just my opinion, because much of the essential, building blocks for a program like that with the UAE would have to be sourced from Russia or elsewhere which doesn't seem practical considering what's been mentioned. It seems like this would take at least 20 years and be monumentally challenging and that's if things went perfectly smooth.

I am glad you mentioned the time it took/taking the Pak-Fa to come to light, because that is the most single aspect that is going to help the JV to succeed in around 8 years.. both the MIG and the Suknoi companies will be involved in this JV.. But as far as the SU-35 is concerned, Well as you said it will mainly depend on what type of equipments are going to be chosen for it.. Keep in mind that the F-35 might also come, but how long will it be taking the line?
IMO, this JV is smart, it is about a light 5th gen fighter, so even if the medium wight F-35 comes a bit before it won't matter much..

The F-18 is not bad at all, but the fact that we have lost so many hornets in exercises in Canada makes me think of better alternatives..

 

[Gomig-21]

Ah!! some of you are big Dreamers... Please stay on earth.. Thank you

Why? Keep all the F-16 blk 60s (since these are pretty much still the most advanced Vipers to date,) sell the Mirages (the UAE already has several interested buyers for all 50 of them), replace them with 60 F4 Rafales which is the upcoming and latest version and is literally around the corner, then fill the gap with the latest F-18E/F (which Kuwait has recently signed a deal for) and they'll have 3 of the best fighters available ATM with some very decent stealthy features between the Rafies and the Super Hornet. Not to mention the compatibility of all those 3 fighters which is a very important aspect as we well know. Then they can try to get in on the F-35 at a later date when the US & partners might be willing to sell it to Saudiya and the UAE. There certainly is a strong possibility for that, especially if these GCC states have no problem affording these aircraft and since by then, the F-35 will have some marketing competition.

 

[HannibalBarca]

Why? Keep all the F-16 blk 60s (since these are pretty much still the most advanced Vipers to date,) sell the Mirages (the UAE already has several interested buyers for all 50 of them), replace them with 60 F4 Rafales which is the upcoming and latest version and is literally around the corner, then fill the gap with the latest F-18E/F (which Kuwait has recently signed a deal for) and they'll have 3 of the best fighters available ATM with some very decent stealthy features between the Rafies and the Super Hornet. Not to mention the compatibility of all those 3 fighters which is a very important aspect as we well know. Then they can try to get in on the F-35 at a later date when the US & partners might be willing to sell it to Saudiya and the UAE. There certainly is a strong possibility for that, especially if these GCC states have no problem affording these aircraft and since by then, the F-35 will have some marketing competition.

someone saying UAE will get Neuron+F35..that's dreaming...
AS for rafale/su35/f18/f15 that possible..;b ut not the Silent eagle version since the project will be dropped for insuffisant funds... the US is out of the SE... and if by anychance UAE want it ( will not) the number needed to make it into manufacturing will be huge... AS for ToT for Rafales/F series etc... no need to dream either... Indian Huge number of order and they still got nothing...

 

[Gomig-21]

someone saying UAE will get Neuron+F35..that's dreaming...

Check this out, Barca. @The SC might've been on to something all along, bro.

Dubai Air Show
By: [URL='https://www.defensenews.com/author/barbara-opall-rome']Barbara Opall-Rome   8 hours ago[/URL]
Trump could let the UAE buy F-35 jets

TEL AVIV, Israel ― As part of a larger U.S. strategy for enhanced strategic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, the Trump administration has agreed to consider a long-standing request by Abu Dhabi to enter into preliminary talks on future procurement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

While no decision has been made, the willingness to consider extending a classified briefing to the UAE as the first significant step toward acquisition of the fifth-generation stealth fighter signals a departure from policy enforced under former President Barack Obama. The Obama administration had consistently rebuffed Emirati requests for the briefing dating back to 2011, citing Washington’s commitment to preserve Israel’s so-called Qualitative Military Edge, or QME.

In interviews, Gulf experts and industry executives insist the Trump administration fully intends to uphold congressionally mandated commitments to the QME, which aim to provide Israel the weaponry and assistance it needs to unilaterally defend itself against any combination of regional foes. At the same time, Washington wants to build on an expanded U.S.-UAE Defense Cooperation Agreement unveiled in May during Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s meetings with Trump and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in the U.S. capital.

“The Trump team has agreed to consider the request. It’s not a ‘yes’ yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to happen once the dust settles,” a former Pentagon official told Defense News. He was referring to the ongoing dispute between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain with Qatar ― a rift the administration needs to amend before it can effectively implement Trump’s new strategy for countering nuclear and non-nuclear threats from Iran.

Experts cite a convergence of events that support extending preliminary F-35 program access to the UAE, the only Arab country to have participated in six U.S.-led coalition missions since the 1991 Gulf War and which hosts thousands of Americans deployed with the U.S. Air Force’s 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Firstly, unlike Saudi Arabia, which is some 20 kilometers from Israel’s Red Sea town of Eilat, the UAE does not share a maritime or land border with Israel. And unlike Saudi Arabia or other Gulf Cooperation Council states, the UAE Air Force has openly participated with the Israeli Air Force in international exercises, the latest in March in Greece with the Italian and Hellenic air forces and in annual U.S. Air Force Red Flag drills in Nevada.

Considering the common threat from Iran, and the time it would take for Abu Dhabi to negotiate a contract with Washington, let alone begin to take first deliveries, sources note that Israel will have enjoyed more than a decade of exclusivity as the only Air Force in the region to operate the F-35.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense declined public comment on the potential easing of F-35 restrictions for Abu Dhabi, citing sensitivities. Privately, however, sources said Israel is unlikely to object if initial steps are limited only to the UAE, and will not trigger wider approval for other GCC states.

“The two countries are not allies; not even friends. But under currently conceivable scenarios, if anyone thinks that the UAE will use this airplane to attack Israel, he or she is not living in reality,” said Shoshana Bryen, senior director at the Washington-based Jewish Policy Center.

Danny Sebright, president of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, said Abu Dhabi has been frustrated by U.S. policy governing technology transfer to the region. “The way our policy works now is Israel versus all other Arab countries. But they have no negative intentions toward the Israelis and don’t see themselves going to war with them. And as such, they don’t want decisions being held up based on how other Arab countries may affect Israel’s QME.”

In a recent interview, Sebright said Washington should consider UAE’s requests based on the merits of its long-standing partnership with the U.S. and its contribution to regional stability. He said the new 15-year Defense Cooperation Agreement is meant to be an indefinite umbrella agreement that should ultimately cover the F-35 and other front-line American weaponry as well as joint research and development, more special operations cooperation, and other bilateral initiatives.

In a 13-page report published by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council last month, Sebright listed a broad spectrum of areas ― from counterterrorism to Afghanistan reconstruction efforts ― in which Abu Dhabi has materially contributed to U.S. security and its interests in and far beyond the Arabian Gulf. He noted that the UAE is one of the largest customers of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program and ranks among the top 15 defense spenders in the world.

“U.S.-UAE basing agreements, joint training and weapons sales are not merely for show. ... The UAE has become not just a consumer of security, but also a provider of security in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East,” Sebright said.

Nevertheless, he warned that U.S. restrictions may force Abu Dhabi to turning to non-Western countries for major military systems. Earlier this year, the UAE and Russia signed a letter of intent to jointly develop a fifth-generation fighter based on the MiG-29, while Moscow announced UAE interest in potential procurement of the Sukhoi Su-35.

“Whether or not this transpires can be viewed as a reflection of the UAE’s frustration with the US acquisition process,” Sebright wrote. He said Abu Dhabi’s unmet F-35 request “is not an isolated case.” He cited the UAE’s purchase of Chinese UAVs as a supplement to a U.S. acquisition of unarmed Predator drones, the catalyst being Washington’s refusal to approve strike-capable systems.

“The UAE is not only a consumer of US security, but a provider for US security. ... While they may be willing to consider non-Western suppliers, it is important to emphasize that it continues to demonstrate a strong preference for US [weaponry] … which comes with US training and support and further reinforces the bilateral defense and security relationship that is so important” to both countries, the report concludes.

Simon Henderson, director of the Washington Institute’s Gulf and Energy Policy Program, suggested that Saudi Arabia could dispel concerns regarding its intentions toward Israel by publicly participating in U.S.-led exercises aimed at regional defense.

“The US would consider selling F-35s to the Saudis if the Saudis were not a threat to Israel. And an indication they are not a threat to Israel would be for Saudi Arabia and Israel to take part in the same third-party air exercises,” Henderson said.

https://www.defensenews.com/digital.../11/04/trump-could-let-the-uae-buy-f-35-jets/

 

[The SC]

Check this out, Barca. @The SC might've been on to something all along, bro.

Dubai Air Show
By: Barbara Opall-Rome   8 hours ago
Trump could let the UAE buy F-35 jets

TEL AVIV, Israel ― As part of a larger U.S. strategy for enhanced strategic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, the Trump administration has agreed to consider a long-standing request by Abu Dhabi to enter into preliminary talks on future procurement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

While no decision has been made, the willingness to consider extending a classified briefing to the UAE as the first significant step toward acquisition of the fifth-generation stealth fighter signals a departure from policy enforced under former President Barack Obama. The Obama administration had consistently rebuffed Emirati requests for the briefing dating back to 2011, citing Washington’s commitment to preserve Israel’s so-called Qualitative Military Edge, or QME.

In interviews, Gulf experts and industry executives insist the Trump administration fully intends to uphold congressionally mandated commitments to the QME, which aim to provide Israel the weaponry and assistance it needs to unilaterally defend itself against any combination of regional foes. At the same time, Washington wants to build on an expanded U.S.-UAE Defense Cooperation Agreement unveiled in May during Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s meetings with Trump and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in the U.S. capital.

“The Trump team has agreed to consider the request. It’s not a ‘yes’ yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to happen once the dust settles,” a former Pentagon official told Defense News. He was referring to the ongoing dispute between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain with Qatar ― a rift the administration needs to amend before it can effectively implement Trump’s new strategy for countering nuclear and non-nuclear threats from Iran.

Experts cite a convergence of events that support extending preliminary F-35 program access to the UAE, the only Arab country to have participated in six U.S.-led coalition missions since the 1991 Gulf War and which hosts thousands of Americans deployed with the U.S. Air Force’s 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Firstly, unlike Saudi Arabia, which is some 20 kilometers from Israel’s Red Sea town of Eilat, the UAE does not share a maritime or land border with Israel. And unlike Saudi Arabia or other Gulf Cooperation Council states, the UAE Air Force has openly participated with the Israeli Air Force in international exercises, the latest in March in Greece with the Italian and Hellenic air forces and in annual U.S. Air Force Red Flag drills in Nevada.

Considering the common threat from Iran, and the time it would take for Abu Dhabi to negotiate a contract with Washington, let alone begin to take first deliveries, sources note that Israel will have enjoyed more than a decade of exclusivity as the only Air Force in the region to operate the F-35.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense declined public comment on the potential easing of F-35 restrictions for Abu Dhabi, citing sensitivities. Privately, however, sources said Israel is unlikely to object if initial steps are limited only to the UAE, and will not trigger wider approval for other GCC states.

“The two countries are not allies; not even friends. But under currently conceivable scenarios, if anyone thinks that the UAE will use this airplane to attack Israel, he or she is not living in reality,” said Shoshana Bryen, senior director at the Washington-based Jewish Policy Center.

Danny Sebright, president of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, said Abu Dhabi has been frustrated by U.S. policy governing technology transfer to the region. “The way our policy works now is Israel versus all other Arab countries. But they have no negative intentions toward the Israelis and don’t see themselves going to war with them. And as such, they don’t want decisions being held up based on how other Arab countries may affect Israel’s QME.”

In a recent interview, Sebright said Washington should consider UAE’s requests based on the merits of its long-standing partnership with the U.S. and its contribution to regional stability. He said the new 15-year Defense Cooperation Agreement is meant to be an indefinite umbrella agreement that should ultimately cover the F-35 and other front-line American weaponry as well as joint research and development, more special operations cooperation, and other bilateral initiatives.

In a 13-page report published by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council last month, Sebright listed a broad spectrum of areas ― from counterterrorism to Afghanistan reconstruction efforts ― in which Abu Dhabi has materially contributed to U.S. security and its interests in and far beyond the Arabian Gulf. He noted that the UAE is one of the largest customers of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program and ranks among the top 15 defense spenders in the world.

“U.S.-UAE basing agreements, joint training and weapons sales are not merely for show. ... The UAE has become not just a consumer of security, but also a provider of security in the Gulf region and the wider Middle East,” Sebright said.

Nevertheless, he warned that U.S. restrictions may force Abu Dhabi to turning to non-Western countries for major military systems. Earlier this year, the UAE and Russia signed a letter of intent to jointly develop a fifth-generation fighter based on the MiG-29, while Moscow announced UAE interest in potential procurement of the Sukhoi Su-35.

“Whether or not this transpires can be viewed as a reflection of the UAE’s frustration with the US acquisition process,” Sebright wrote. He said Abu Dhabi’s unmet F-35 request “is not an isolated case.” He cited the UAE’s purchase of Chinese UAVs as a supplement to a U.S. acquisition of unarmed Predator drones, the catalyst being Washington’s refusal to approve strike-capable systems.

“The UAE is not only a consumer of US security, but a provider for US security. ... While they may be willing to consider non-Western suppliers, it is important to emphasize that it continues to demonstrate a strong preference for US [weaponry] … which comes with US training and support and further reinforces the bilateral defense and security relationship that is so important” to both countries, the report concludes.

Simon Henderson, director of the Washington Institute’s Gulf and Energy Policy Program, suggested that Saudi Arabia could dispel concerns regarding its intentions toward Israel by publicly participating in U.S.-led exercises aimed at regional defense.

“The US would consider selling F-35s to the Saudis if the Saudis were not a threat to Israel. And an indication they are not a threat to Israel would be for Saudi Arabia and Israel to take part in the same third-party air exercises,” Henderson said.

https://www.defensenews.com/digital.../11/04/trump-could-let-the-uae-buy-f-35-jets/

By that time to start deliveries in 10 years and end them in another 5 years..a total of 15 years waiting time or wasting time.. i am glad to see the UAE taking the initiative to co-develop a 5th generation fighter with Russia, which all in all will take less time and provides full ToT and the rights to commercialise it.. The F-35 will come later..but there are already some subtle conditions like the normalisation of ties with Qatar, this period of time is on top of the 15 years wait time!!!

 

[Gomig-21]

By that time to start deliveries in 10 years and end them in another 5 years..a total of 15 years waiting time or wasting time.. i am glad to see the UAE taking the initiative to co-develop a 5th generation fighter with Russia, which all in all will take less time and provides full ToT and the rights to commercialise it.. The F-35 will come later..but there are already some subtle conditions like the normalisation of ties with Qatar, this period of time is on top of the 15 years wait time!!!

Yeah, the US can suck an egg if that's the case.