5th generation fighter for U.A.E

[amunhotep]

A top United Arab Emirates military leader said that his country aspires to obtain a fifth-generation fighter in the very near term, suggesting a potential new sales coup for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.



"I hope that within a couple years the UAE, like many other countries, will have a fifth-generation fighter," says Brig Gen Ibrahim Naser Alalawi, deputy commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. Alalawi was speaking at the Dubai International Air Chiefs conference held yesterday morning at Dubai's Knowledge Village Conference Centre.



Lockheed's F-35 is expected to be the only fifth-generation fighter available for sale for perhaps another decade. The Chinese J-12 and the Russian/Indian PAK-FA remain in the early stages of development.





The UAE has previously not been named among the several countries - including the UK, Australia and Israel - planning to buy the first export F-35s scheduled for delivery after 2013.



Ibrahim made the remark in the context of delivering a speech on the UAE's requirements for filling a capability gap with a new generation of advanced jet trainers. The UAE has selected the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 as a lead-in trainer for its new Lockheed F-16E/F Block 60s.

The US Air Force, meanwhile, is considering buying the M-346 as the last step for building up the skills of future F-35 pilots.



Alalawi did not elaborate beyond expressing his hope that the UAE will own a fifth-generation fighter. Subsequent slides showed pictures of the Lockheed F-22 and F-35. US law prohibits Lockheed from selling the F-22 abroad, but the US government strongly supports foreign sales of the F-35 to its allies.



It was not immediately clear how Alalawi's remarks could influence support among UAE military leaders to acquire another advanced fourth-generation fighter - the Dassault Rafale - even sooner.



Lockheed originally projected F-35 sales in the Middle East in programme briefing slides dating back to 2002. But more recently the company has declined opportunities to name the UAE as a near-term sales target. The F-35 is not even on display at Lockheed (stand E450), which is instead dominated by a model of the F-16.

here is the link

ASIAN DEFENCE: UAE reveals fifth-generation fighter

 

[scrumpy]

Why does UAE feel so threatened?

Whom are they protecting themselves against ?

 

[TechLahore]

Why does UAE feel so threatened?

Whom are they protecting themselves against ?

The typical, somewhat uninformed response is, "Iran". I don't buy that. I don't think anyone in the UAE government actually believes the Iranians will invade. If you drive around Dubai and Abu Dhabi you will see massive Iranian presence, e.g. office of the Bank Melli Iran and many others. The Iranis would not have have been allowed the level of access they have if they were considered a Tier-1 threat. I also don't feel Iran considers war with an untroublesome UAE anywhere near the top of their agenda. Doesn't make any strategic sense.

So, coming to the question, I think one of the things that drives the UAE's defence purchases is pure and simple national pride; they don't want to be considered toothless like a Singapore, for instance. The real estate ad for the Dubai Waterfront says, "Twice the size of Hong Kong". So a lot is driven by national pride and the desire to have the best.

The other element is that the UAE is very deeply integrated into the global chain of business. Defence is, above all else, big business. There is a lot of give and take in these areas - I'm making the following example up, but go with me here: you buy our jets, we'll give Emirates and Etihad landing rights in all major american airports. Or you invest in such-and-such and we'll let you own a majority stake in Macy's or Sak's Fifth etc.

Since the west considers the UAE an ally, it makes sense for them to try to sell the latest and greatest to the UAE. They perceive these jets to be in "safe hands" and the UAE wants to use them as symbols of national pride... meanwhile, middlemen and business people on both sides make money. That's the kind of 'logic' that drives most defence purchases in the UAE.

 

[ejaz007]

So what would happen to UAE Mirage 2000. Perhaps another race is on between IAF and PAF for acquiring them.

 

[unicorn148]

i think UAE is having f16 block60 which are the best of f16 so why it need f35

 

[UchihaCG]

i think UAE is having f16 block60 which are the best of f16 so why it need f35

Isn't it obvious?
as time progresses, technology will also progress. Those F-16's in next 50 years will be worthless.

 

[FireFighter]

Why does UAE feel so threatened?

Whom are they protecting themselves against ?

Because not everyone believes in passive and unrealistic Gandhi-giri?


The whole idea behind acquiring modern weaponry is to retain your warrior-like culture that is essential for your community's identity and survival and gives a psychological edge over your adversaries.

With modern weapons comes modern training and superior fighting skills that psychologically prepare, thereby making you more efficient in case of a crisis or sudden war.

Even in pre-modern times people used to carry "dangerously" looking swords and daggers and whatnot when walking around their neighbourhoods with no potential threat in sight. One must wonder why? Because the whole nature of having an armour is that it gives men confidence and ability to ward off any potential threat from emerging. Therefore, allowing you to look directly into your enemies eyes.

Satanic whisperings are always inspiring humans to stoop down to animal insticts and fight for survival and having good armour greatly reduces the very risk to fight.

Hope that helps.

 

[Comet]

Money Money Money. All they have is Money. They don't have enemies. They just have Money.

 

[mjnaushad]

I thought "Sheikhs" are only interested in Land Rover type vehicles. Oil Money.

 

[scrumpy]

Because not everyone believes in passive and unrealistic Gandhi-giri?


The whole idea behind acquiring modern weaponry is to retain your warrior-like culture that is essential for your community's identity and survival and gives a psychological edge over your adversaries.

With modern weapons comes modern training and superior fighting skills that psychologically prepare, thereby making you more efficient in case of a crisis or sudden war.

Even in pre-modern times people used to carry "dangerously" looking swords and daggers and whatnot when walking around their neighbourhoods with no potential threat in sight. One must wonder why? Because the whole nature of having an armour is that it gives men confidence and ability to ward off any potential threat from emerging. Therefore, allowing you to look directly into your enemies eyes.

Satanic whisperings are always inspiring humans to stoop down to animal insticts and fight for survival and having good armour greatly reduces the very risk to fight.

Hope that helps.

Err. I don't think those planes help much when it comes to an enemy the size of Iran. What helps them I guess is the defence pact they have with the US.

Kuwait similarly had a modern Air force and a very small army at the time of the Iraqi invasion. Their Air Force did not stop Iraq from invading and most of it was evacuated to Saudi without firing a single shot when Iraq invaded.
Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; 1990

Isn't UAE comprised of different emirates with only Abu Dhabi having any substantial amounts of oil. Is this army/airforce representative of the entire country?
Doesn't an arms build up of such proportions lead to unease among different parts of the emirates and among UAE's neighbours.

Disclaimer:
I am not too familiar with this part of the world.

 

[niaz]

Nations feel more macho and virile when they have the lots of modern weapons. It is a state of psychological well being even if imaginary to large extent. For example, Pakistan’s nukes gave the whole nation a sense of euphoria, even though it is debatable if these made Pakistan any safer except may be against Indian aggression. Similarly India modernizing her airforce and buying nuclear submarines even though her armed forces are already strong enought to expel any coventional arms aggression from her neighbors.

US and the Europeans on the other hand want the petro dollars to circulate back to reduce trade deficit. High priced aircrafts and arms is the ideal way especially when you know that these are never going to be used against the real enemy (Israel).

UAE air force is being financed by Abu Dhabi whose coffers are full with oil at $80 per bbl. Smart arms salesmen use Iran as possible aggressor to sell most expensive and modern toys. Pray tell me, UAE already has Mirage 2000, did they really need F-16 block 60? Now they want to buy 5th generation aircraft, why not?

 

[Kompromat]

Iran is not an enemy , its just a Hysteria they are creating to sale their toys.

End of the story

 

[ARSENAL6]

The typical, somewhat uninformed response is, "Iran". I don't buy that. I don't think anyone in the UAE government actually believes the Iranians will invade. If you drive around Dubai and Abu Dhabi you will see massive Iranian presence, e.g. office of the Bank Melli Iran and many others. The Iranis would not have have been allowed the level of access they have if they were considered a Tier-1 threat. I also don't feel Iran considers war with an untroublesome UAE anywhere near the top of their agenda. Doesn't make any strategic sense.

So, coming to the question, I think one of the things that drives the UAE's defence purchases is pure and simple national pride; they don't want to be considered toothless like a Singapore, for instance. The real estate ad for the Dubai Waterfront says, "Twice the size of Hong Kong". So a lot is driven by national pride and the desire to have the best.

The other element is that the UAE is very deeply integrated into the global chain of business. Defence is, above all else, big business. There is a lot of give and take in these areas - I'm making the following example up, but go with me here: you buy our jets, we'll give Emirates and Etihad landing rights in all major american airports. Or you invest in such-and-such and we'll let you own a majority stake in Macy's or Sak's Fifth etc.

Since the west considers the UAE an ally, it makes sense for them to try to sell the latest and greatest to the UAE. They perceive these jets to be in "safe hands" and the UAE wants to use them as symbols of national pride... meanwhile, middlemen and business people on both sides make money. That's the kind of 'logic' that drives most defence purchases in the UAE.

Yeah but isn't the pilot determines your progress and success of the jet rather than the actual machine you fly ?
No offense but I highly doubt that this machine will be used by the Arabs. It may be lent to other international Pilots in timesof war. just how Saudi Arabis lent its f15 to Americans and Tornadoes to the British in the 1991 gulf war.

 

[scrumpy]

The government of Dubai is now almost bankrupt. Can the UAE still afford to pay for these planes? Even if they can, would it be a responsible move especially in the absence of any actual enemies?

BBC News - What is Dubai and who runs it?

 

[TechLahore]

The government of Dubai is now almost bankrupt. Can the UAE still afford to pay for these planes? Even if they can, would it be a responsible move especially in the absence of any actual enemies?

BBC News - What is Dubai and who runs it?

One of the good things about a forum like this is that most people here try to dig a little bit deeper than the headlines.

If Abu Dhabi has more than 1 trillion dollars parked in their sovereign fund, how is the $80B debt of Dubai, of which Dubai World's debt is only $59B, an issue for the UAE? Do you think Abu Dhabi will let the emirate of Dubai go bankrupt? If you do, then I marvel at your innocence.

Dubai is not bankrupt, but they will take advantage of the current economic climate to renegotiate debt with creditors. This is just sensible management. Abu Dhabi has in the past and will continue to provide monetary support. The fact that the west is enjoying this piece of news and it is hence getting a lot of airtime should not confuse you as to the reality.