The United Arab Emirates is modernizing its air force's fleet of combat aircraft. UAE Army - history, features and interesting facts Education. Scientific and cultural institutions

Hello dears.
Today, as promised, we are finishing the topic of the UAE.
We are left with 2 of the most powerful, famous and rich emirates. Only the rulers of these emirates
occupy the positions of President and Prime Minister of the country, dominate the Supreme Council UAE and have the right to veto decisions on the most important issues national significance in the legislation of the country. These are the emirates Abu Dhabi And Dubai. Let's start with the last one.

Dubai Among the seven emirates that make up the country, it ranks first in population and second after Abu Dhabi in area (4114 km²). The capital of the emirate is the city of the same name, Dubai.
The Creek divides the emirate into two parts. On one bank is the Bar Dubai region, on the other - the Deira region. The two sides are connected at three points - by the Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud bridges and the famous Shindoga Tunnel (the prototype of the Channel Tunnel), which passes under the mouth of the strait.

Dubai does not have as much oil as Abu Dhabi, but the rulers were the first to invest money in the development of their emirate, the development of free trade and inbound tourism. For me, only Qatar can rival Dubai in terms of innovation and development throughout the Arab world.


We can talk about him for a long time. I will only overpower those objects that the whole world knows.
Internet city of Dubai, skyscraper district Dubai Marina (Sea City), Burj Al Arab ("Sail"), Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Rose Tower Hotel, Dubai Mall, Emirates Mall, Marina Mall, Palm Jumeirah, Islands "World", Wild Wadi Water Park. And of course, the largest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa skyscraper (Khalifa Tower).

All this became possible thanks to the wise rule of the Al-Maktoum (Muktum) family.
The Al Maktoum clan comes from the Arab clan al-Abu Falah (al-Falahi), part of the Beni Yas tribal federation, which has dominated the territory of the United Arab Emirates since the mid-18th century. In 1833, the Al-Abu Falah clan, led by the Al Maktoum family, moved to Dubai and founded an independent sheikhdom here. Distinctive feature The reign of the al-Maktoum sheikhs was a peaceful transition of power from the previous sheikh to the heir, unlike other Arab dynasties of the Persian Gulf. In March 1892, Sheikh Rashid ibn Maktoum (1886-1894), together with other sheikhs of Trucial Oman, signed an “Exceptional Agreement” with Great Britain, according to which a British protectorate was actually established over Dubai: from now on, Sheikh Rashid ibn Maktoum and his heirs could not conduct international negotiations and sign agreements with other states, and also had no right to cede, sell, or lease any parts of their territory. Everything changed after the independence of the emirate. And since 1971, the emirs of Dubai have led the country to prosperity.

Since 2006, after the death of his elder brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the Emir of Dubai.
I admit honestly - I am a big fan of this extraordinary, strong and strong-willed person. He is a wonderful ruler!
Mohammed became the third son of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid ibn Saeed Al-Muktum. His mother Lafita was the daughter of the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Hamadan ibn Zayed Al Nahyan. As a child, Muhammad received both secular and traditional Islamic education. In 1966 (at the age of 18) he studied in the UK at the Mons Cadet Corps and in Italy to become a pilot. After the formation of the UAE, he was Minister of Defense and head of the Dubai Police. On October 7, 1990, Muhammad's father and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid ibn Said, died. Power passed to the eldest son, Sheikh Muktum ibn Rashid, who was very fond of equestrian sports and was an excellent athlete, but was not drawn to politics and management. On January 4, 1995, Muktum ibn Rashid appoints Mohammed as crown prince and, in fact, transfers power to him in the emirate of Dubai. On January 4, 2006, Muktum ibn Rashid died of a heart attack, Mohammed ibn Rashid became the official ruler of Dubai. The list of achievements of Muhammad ibn Rashid is enormous. Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid is famous for his intolerance of corruption; during his rule, hundreds of officials caught in bribes and using their positions for personal gain were sent to prison. He looks great - a very well-read and interesting person.

He had a total of 6 wives of which 2 are best known.
Senior consort of Sheikh Hind bint Maktoum bin Youme Al Maktoum and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, daughter of King Hussein and half-sister of King Abdullah II.
The emir has 23 children - 9 boys and 14 girls. The second son of Sheikh Hamadan was considered the heir to Dubai.

The emir has 8 residences, but the most famous is Za"abeel Palace

Well, let’s finish today and in general with the United Arab Emirates, the largest and most oil-producing emirate of all - Abu Dhabi (إمارة أبو ظبي)
The administrative center is the city of Abu Dhabi, which is also the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Area – 67,340 km²

The emirate's economy is based on oil production. Oil fields were discovered here in 1958; Currently, oil is produced both on land and at sea. Thanks to oil export revenues, Abu Dhabi has one of the world's highest per capita incomes. Abu Dhabi provides about 70% of the country's GDP.

The largest port is Zayed in Abu Dhabi; The main oil loading ports are located on the islands of Das and Ezzanna. In 1996-2001, a free economic zone was created on Saadiyat Island.
The Al Nahyan Dynasty rules here, whose members are also the lifelong Presidents of all the UAE.

The Al Nahyan clan, like the Al Maktoum clan, comes from the Arab clan al-Abu Falah (al-Falahi), part of the Beni Yas tribal federation, which has dominated the territory of the United Arab Emirates since the 18th century. The al-Abu Falah clan, led by Sheikh Ziyab I ibn Isa al-Nahyan, moved to the area of ​​the future city of Abu Dhabi in 1761. Soon the sheikhs of Abu Dhabi established friendly relations with the sultans of Muscat and peaceful relations with the British.
The first half of the 19th century passed for the Aal Nahyan family in constant internal and external turmoil - in dynastic feuds, coups and wars with external enemies. Already in the first 14 years of the new century (1800-1814), Sheikh Shahbut ibn Ziyab al-Nahyan had to repel several aggressions of the Najd Wahhabis. In 1833, a coup d'etat took place, as a result of which Sheikh Tahnun I ibn Shahbut was killed by his brother Sultan and their brother Khalifa I ibn Shahbut, who had to fight a war for the Buraimi oasis, became the sheikh. He was succeeded by Said ibn Takhnun (1845-1855), son of Takhnun I, who continued wars with nomadic neighbors and Najd Wahhabis until he was overthrown by Khalifa I's son Zayed.
Under Sheikh Zayed ibn Khalifa (1855-1909), the Aal Nahyan dynasty achieved unprecedented power. And since then, the influence of the family has only grown. And after oil was discovered in the Middle East, it became huge. The Al Nahyans, along with the Al Maktoumai, played a key role in the creation of the UAE. And they continue to play it to this day.

The current Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE since 2004 is Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (خليفة بن زايد آلنهيان)
It was the eldest son of the previous emir, Sheikh Zayed, who inherited the throne of Abu Dhabi after his father's death on November 2, 2004. At the time of his accession he was already 56 years old. It would seem that at this age one no longer wants reforms, however, Khalifa was able to change a lot in Abu Dhabi and all the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Khalifa received a military education, he graduated from the Royal Sandhurst Academy (UK). On February 1, 1969, Khalifa was crowned Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and appointed Minister of Defense. It was Khalifa who created the army of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in its current modern form. After the formation of the UAE in 1971, he served as Prime Minister of Abu Dhabi, head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Vice President of the UAE. In the late 80s, he became the head of the Supreme Petroleum Council, gaining de facto full power over oil revenues in the UAE. In the late 90s, Sheikh Zayed’s health no longer allowed him to perform all the functions of the President of the UAE. Khalifa became the de facto President of the UAE and Emir of Abu Dhabi. On November 2, 2004, after the death of his father, Sheikh Khalifa inherited the throne, and the next day (November 3) he officially took office as President of the UAE. Abu Dhabi has changed under his rule. Many famous projects in Abu Dhabi were initiated or supported by Sheikh Khalifa. The most striking is Yas Island with Ferrari World Park, Yas Mall shopping center, Yas Waterworld water park, Yas Marina race track. Saadiyat Island with art galleries, branches of the Louvre and Guggenheim museums.

He has a reputation as a reserved man and a lover of poetry. Like his father, Sheikh Khalifa enjoys falconry and fishing. Sheikh Khalifa is known for his interests in traditional UAE sports, with his main interests being horse and camel racing.
In January 2014, Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke and had a very difficult recovery. Therefore, his brother and heir to the throne, Mohammed ibn Zayed Al-Nahyan, began to play a major role.
Mohammed ibn Zayed studied at school in Al Ain, then in Abu Dhabi. Entered Sandhurst Academy (UK) in 1979. Trained in military skills of helicopter piloting, driving armored vehicles, and parachute jumping. After returning from England, he underwent military training in Sharjah and became an officer in the UAE Armed Forces. He was an officer in the Amiri Guards (an elite unit), a pilot in the UAE Air Force, and eventually became the Commander-in-Chief of the UAE Armed Forces. In 2003, he was proclaimed the second Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. After the death of his father on November 2, 2004, he became crown prince. Since December 2004, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, member of the Supreme Petroleum Council.


Believes that the UAE should play a much larger role in world politics. He loves falconry, like his father. He is interested in poetry and writes poetry himself in the Nabati style.
The Al Nahyans are one of the richest families in the world. And they great amount residences and palaces. But the most famous is the Presidential Palace









That's probably all there is to it :-)
I hope you found it interesting

As the American publication Defense News reported, at the Dubai Airshow 2017, which ended in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates signed agreements to modernize both types of combat aircraft of its air force - the Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60 Desert Falcon and Dassault Mirage multirole fighters. 2000-9.

Dassault Mirage 2000-9RAD fighters of the UAE Air Force during the multinational exercise "Red Flag" at Nellis Air Force Base (USA), 01/23/2013 (c) US Air Force

The American corporation Lockheed Martin received a contract worth $1.6 billion to modernize the F-16E/F Block 60 fighter jets of the UAE Air Force. From 2004 to 2009, the Emirates received 80 fighter jets of the F-16 Block 60 version specially developed for them - in the amount of 55 single-seat F-16E and 25 double-seat F-16F - of which 77 aircraft now remain in service. These aircraft, called Desert Falcon and equipped with a Northrop Grumman AN/APG-80 radar with an active phased array antenna and engines of a specially developed General Electric F110-GE-132 modification with an afterburner thrust of up to 15,000 kg to this day remain the most “advanced” production modification F-16 aircraft. The details of their upcoming modernization program are unknown.

In turn, the French company Dassault Aviation and the Thales group signed a contract (according to other sources, only a preliminary agreement) worth about $350 million for the modernization of 42 Mirage 2000-9 fighters out of 55 aircraft of this type remaining in the UAE Air Force. Details of the modernization are also not reported. The Emirates in 1986-1989 received 22 Dassault fighter Mirage 2000EAD, six Mirage 2000DAD combat trainers and eight Mirage 2000RAD reconnaissance aircraft, all designated Mirage 2000-8. In 2003 - 2007, the UAE received another 32 aircraft in the most “advanced” modification of the Mirage 2000-9 at that time (20 single-seat Mirage 2000-9RAD and 12 double-seat Mirage 2000-9DAD), and at the same time Dassault Aviation was also upgraded to this version 31 Mirage 2000-8s remaining in service with the UAE Air Force.

In addition, at the Dubai Airshow 2017, the American corporation Raytheon received a contract worth $684.4 million to supply the UAE Air Force with a large batch of GBU-10 and GBU-12 Paveway II guided bombs with a semi-active laser guidance system.

Finally, a contract was signed with Airbus Defense and Space (the military division of the Airbus group) to supply the UAE Air Force with five light twin-engine turboprop C295W military transport aircraft. The cost of the contract is not disclosed, but, according to some reports, reaches $250 million. Deliveries should begin at the end of 2018, and it is reported that the new C295W should replace the UAE Air Force's seven similar CN-235 transport aircraft received in early 1990 -s. The UAE became the 29th customer of the C295 family aircraft.

Original taken from

IN United Arab Emirates Armed Forces(Arabic: al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥa lithium-Dawlat al-"Imārāt al-"Arabīyyah al-Muttaḥidah listen)) is the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates and has primary defense responsibility of all seven emirates. It consists of 100,000 employees, and is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The United Arab Emirates Military was commonly referred to as "Little Sparta" by United States military general and former US Secretary of Defense James Mattis due to its active and effective military role, especially in the War on Terrorism, despite its small active personnel.

story

organization

There are two different military organizations in the UAE: federal military force called the Union Defense Force, and some of the Emirates maintain their own forces.

Federal forces

UAE Army

As part of the United Arab Emirates military, the judiciary group is responsible for land operations.

UAE Air Force

Gulf War

The UAE directed its efforts to assist in Kuwait during the 1990–1991 Gulf War, where several hundred UAE troops took part in the conflict as part of the GCC Peninsula Shield force deployed to Kuwait. The US 363rd tactical fighter wing (preliminary assessment) operates from Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, and US ships operated from UAE ports. The UAE Air Force also carried out strikes against Iraqi forces. The UAE Armed Forces participated in a coalition with an army battalion along with a squadron of Dassault Mirage 5s and Mirage 2000s. 6 Emirati military personnel were killed in the battle.

United Nations Operation in Somalia II

War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

Armed equipment

Military expansion (1989-2005)

UAE Armed Forces: modern structure, weapons and long-term plans

Vladimir Shcherbakov

Photos courtesy of V. Shcherbakov, S. Suvorov and A. Mikheev.

Ending. For the beginning, see “TiV” No. 8/2005.

The naval forces organizationally include the headquarters, fleet, marines, naval aviation and coast guard (the latter is actually a paramilitary force and is subordinate to the navy in operational terms). The leadership of this type of armed forces is carried out by the commander of the Navy with the rank of brigadier.

Currently in service with the UAE Navy are:

Two frigates (Abu Dhabi type, former Dutch FR URO type Kortenaer);

Two corvettes (Muray Jib type, designed and built by the German company Luerssen);

Eight fast missile boats (two Mubarraz type and six Ban Yas type, built by Luerssen);

Nine large patrol boats (six Ardhana class and three Kawkab class);

Four landing ships and boats;

Four UAV aircraft (S-295M);

18 naval aviation helicopters (including five AS.332F/LSuper Puma armed with AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and seven AS.365 Panther with AS-15TT missiles).

The Coast Guard also has 40–50 patrol boats of various displacements, both armed and unarmed.

The main naval bases are Mina Jebel Ali and Mina Zayed (Abu Dhabi), as well as Mina Rashid (Dubai).

The elite branch of the Navy is the recently created Marine Corps, which is armed with, among other things, 90 wheeled Guardian armored personnel carriers, developed by Ukraine on the basis of the BTR-80 and supplied through the mediation of ADCOM Military Industries.

One of two Chinese-built patrol boats purchased by the UAE MoD and, after repair, transferred to the Iraqi Coast Guard.

It should be noted that due to the presence of a fairly long coastline, numerous islands and a large area of ​​the EEZ, the military-political leadership of the UAE pays increased attention to the development of this type of national armed forces. The Navy's weapons program is one of the largest among the three branches of the UAE Armed Forces.

The most ambitious project is the purchase of four Baynunah type A guided missile corvettes (plus two optional ships), designed by the French company Constructions Mecaniquesde Normandie (CMN) based on an earlier development - the BR67 project. The construction of the first ship will be carried out in France (in the city of Cherbourg), and the rest will be built in Abu Dhabi at the shipyard of the national company Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB) in the so-called Mussafa industrial area. The UAE Ministry of Defense concluded a contract with the latter worth more than $520 million at the beginning of 2004, and the transfer of the first nationally built ship to the Navy is planned for 2008 (the French should deliver the corvette as early as 2007). In addition to building the lead ship of the series, the French company will then supply components and materials for the construction of the remaining corvettes in the UAE.

The UAE Marine Corps acquired several dozen Ukrainian Guardian armored personnel carriers.

Model of the AI-class guided missile corvette Baynunah, which is already under construction for the UAE Navy.

Muray Jib-class corvette.

According to experts, the French will ultimately carry out up to a quarter of the total amount of work under the program, which will be expressed in the amount of 165 million euros (this will provide France with 450 thousand additional man-hours and 450 additional jobs). In fact, this program pulled the French CMN out of a difficult, protracted crisis. It should be especially emphasized that this will be the first example of the construction of such a sufficient big ship in the state of the Persian Gulf region, previously such ships were purchased only abroad. This fact indicates the rapid development of the local shipbuilding industry and the desire of the states located on the Arabian Peninsula to gradually move away from the “buyer-seller” formula and begin to meet the needs of the national armed forces through their own military industry.

The new corvette will have a maximum length of about 70 m, the hull shape will be a deep V, with a sharp chine, which, along with the use of water-jet propulsion, will provide the ship with fairly good seaworthiness and propulsion. The estimated full speed of the corvette should be at least 32 knots, and the cruising range at an economical speed of 15 knots should be about 2,400 miles (autonomy 14 days). home power plant will be made on the basis of four MTU 12V595TE90 diesel engines. Having a shallow draft, the new ships will be able to feel quite comfortable in the shallow coastal areas of the Persian Gulf.

The main armament of the corvette will be a single-barrel Oto Melara 76/62mm Super Rapid gun mount, eight MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 2 anti-ship missiles, two Mauser MLG 27 small-caliber rapid-fire automatic guns, eight Mk48 Evolved Sea Sparrow missile launchers, as well as a ship-mounted PLO helicopter. The ship has a crew of 37 people, plus an air group for helicopter maintenance.

Radio technical and hydroacoustic weapons will be represented by the most modern systems, already tested on warships of the navies of other states. Among them will be a sub-surface sonar, a remotely controlled mine-resistant underwater vehicle, a three-coordinate radar of the OVNTs, electronic warfare systems, etc.

In addition to the program discussed, ADSB is currently implementing a project to build three large landing craft of its own design, the LCVP type, for the national Navy (the contract value is about 40 million dirhams). These boats will have a crew of 19 people and the ability to transport up to 56 military personnel in full uniform and with personal weapons. The second “landing” program of the national shipbuilding company is the construction of nine landing craft of the LCP (land craft personnel) type, with aluminum hull structures designed by the Swedish company Swedeship Marine. The latter is also building the first three boats of this type in Sweden. These boats have a speed of more than 33 knots and provide landing of up to 42 paratroopers with weapons. Also this company received a contract worth approximately $50 million to repair two UAE Navy missile boats.

The UAE shipbuilding industry is not lagging behind in the development of special-purpose equipment. Thus, back at the IDEX-200I exhibition, the national company Emirates Marine Technologies presented a three-meter two-seater underwater towing vehicle for combat swimmers of the SDV type of its own design. To date, ten such devices have already entered service with special forces units of the UAE Navy. and two more were sold abroad.

One of the most recent naval aviation programs of the UAE Navy was the acquisition of four S-295M Persuader UAV aircraft from EADS CASA for $140 million (the contract was signed in March 2001, all aircraft have already been delivered to the customer).

Judging by the interest that the UAE Navy command showed during previous IDEX weapons exhibitions in non-nuclear weapons offered for export by some countries submarines, the military-political leadership of this country has plans for their acquisition. However, no real steps have been taken in this direction so far.

Models of special-purpose underwater vehicles developed by Emirati designers: “Class 5”, “Class 6” and “Class 8”.

So far, the main striking force of the UAE Air Force is the Mirages of the 2000 series.

This boat is also intended for naval special forces. Only it is produced by Palm Submarines (UAE).

The helicopters in the UAE Air Force are mostly outdated types.

The air force and air defense forces are organizationally composed of headquarters (VVB Batin, Abu Dhabi), Western (Abu Dhabi) and Central (Dubai) aviation commands. The leadership of this type of armed forces is carried out by the commander of the Air Force and Air Defense with the rank of major general. Main air bases: Batin, Al Dhafra, Al Ain, Minhad. International airports in Sharjah and Dubai are also used to base air force aircraft and helicopters. Work is underway to build another base, which will primarily house F-16E/F aircraft.

All aircraft and helicopters of combat and auxiliary aviation of the UAE Air Force are consolidated into aviation squadrons, of which there are at least 17.

Western Air Command:

1st and 2nd Fighter-Assault Air Forces (Al-Dhafra Air Force Base, Abu Dhabi: 11 Mirage 2000EAD fighters and three Mirage 2000DAD aircraft each);

Reconnaissance Air Force (VVB Minhad, Dubai; five Mirage 2000RAD and three Mirage 2000-5RAD aircraft);

69th combat air group consisting of two helicopter air bases (VVB Al-Dharda, Abu Dhabi; 30 AN-64A Apache helicopters);

Assault helicopter aircraft "Al-Gazelle" (AI Ghezelle; based in the area of ​​Al-Ai-Sharjah International Airport; 12 SA.342LGazelle helicopters armed with ATGM NOT);

Transport helicopter aviation (VVB Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi; Puma helicopters);

Helicopter Aircraft PJSC (VVB Al-Dharfa, Abu Dhabi; five AS.332F Super Puma and seven AS.565A Panther helicopters armed with AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles);

Transport air station (VVB Batin, Abu Dhabi; four C-1 ZON, 11 CN-235M and four C-212-200 Aviocar);

A new addition to the UAE Air Force's arsenal is the F-16E Desert Falcon fighter.

Economic and geographical characteristics of the UAE

Territory area 83600 km2

Cultivated areas 2%

Desert lands 98%

Low-lying plains predominate, with mountains in the east

Coastal length

lines 1448 km

Territorial waters 12 miles

Exclusive economic zone 200 miles

Population more than 2485 thousand people.

Annual population growth 1.57%

Religion: Muslims (96%), Christians, Hindus, etc. (4%)

Official language Arabic

Literacy rate 79%

GDP $53 billion (2003)

Per capita income $22 thousand (2003)

Annual defense budget US$3.4–3.7 billion

The basis of the economy is the production and sale of oil and gas

Membership in international organizations:

UN, Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, OPEC, etc.

Royal Air Squadron (VVB Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi; two Beech King Air 350VIP, two Airbus A300-620, two Boeing 707-3L6B, one Boeing 747 SP-Z5, two Boeing 747-2Р6, one BAe 146–100 , three Falcon 900 and two AS.332L Super Puma VIP helicopters).

Central Air Command:

3rd Fighter-Attack Air Force (VVB Minhad, Dubai; 15 Mirage 2000-5AD/DAD aircraft):

Light assault/training air force (VVB Minhad, Dubai; 17 Hawk 100 aircraft);

Light assault/training aircraft (VVB Minhad, Dubai; eight MB.339 and five MB.326KD/LD);

Transport air station (VVB Minhad, Dubai; four Il-76 (leased from Russia in 1998), one BN-2T Turbine Islander MP, two C-I30L-100-30, 23 RS-7 Turbo trainer) ;

Transport helicopter aviation (VVB Minhad, Dubai; 10 SA.330 Puma, eight AB.206B/L, six AV.205A1, six AB.4I2, three VO-105SAR, four Bell 214B, two AV.212 and one Bell 407);

UAE Air Force and Air Defense fleet:

19 Mirage 2000-9RAD;

11 Mirage 2000-9DAD;

28 Mirage 2000 EAD;

10 Mirage 2000 DAD;

23 Mirage 2000-5AD;

6 Mirage 2000-5DAD;

3 Mirage 2000-5RAD;

15 Hawk 102 Mk63;

2 Boeing 747–422 VIP; 4C-130H;

4 C-212 Aviocar;

23 PC-7 Turbotrainer;

2 Beech King Air 350 VIP;

1 BN-2 Islander;

30 AH-64A Apache;

A special squadron for servicing VIPs (VVB Minhad, Dubai; one Boeing 747SP-31, two Gulfsream II/IV, five AB.206B V1P helicopters, one S-76A and one AS.365N I Dophine 23VIP).

The air defense units are armed with Mistral, Rapire (123PK), Crotal air defense systems (nine 3PKI and RBS-70 (13 air defense systems), 35-mm twin Skyguard anti-aircraft gun mounts, as well as TPS-70, DR162 and DR172 radars.

Initial training of UAE Air Force personnel is carried out at the flight school located at the Minhad Air Force Base on training aircraft MV-339A (four aircraft), MV-326 (16 aircraft), SF260 (five aircraft) and AS.350B Ecureuie helicopters (14 helicopters). Subsequently, pilots undergo training at the Air Force Academy, located in the area of ​​Al Ain Sharjah International Airport and having at its disposal 20 Hawk MkbZ and 18 Hawk Mk 102 trainers.

The Dubai Emirate Police are armed with helicopters AB.412ER (two helicopters), AB.212 (seven helicopters), A-109K2, AB.206B Jet Ranger (one helicopter), B0-105CBS (four helicopters), etc.

All N lirage2000 EAD/DAD and Mirage2000-5 aircraft in service are being upgraded to the Mirage 2000-9 level (a multi-role version of the more famous Mirage 2000-5 with expanded capabilities for striking ground targets). In addition, in January 1998, an additional 30 aircraft were purchased

Mirage 2000-9 (both new and overhauled aircraft retired from the French Air Force), the delivery of which is almost completed, and 80 of the latest American F-16E/F Block 60 Desert Falcon aircraft (previously designated F-16C/D ), deliveries of which began in May 2005, and should be completed no later than 2007.

The total cost of the contract, signed in May 2000, is estimated to be between $6.4 and $8 billion (the exact amount is confidential and has not been made public by any of the parties to the deal). 55 single-seat aircraft and 25 twins should be delivered. Desert Falcons are equipped with overhead conformal fuel tanks, which significantly increases their flight range, and the new Agile Beam radar. Pilot training for these aircraft began in November 2001 and is conducted by the Americans in Turkey. The training of pilots, technicians, simulator personnel and electronic warfare specialists for the purchased French Mirage 2000-9 aircraft was carried out by the French state company AIRCO, which is the aviation division of the French organization Defense Conseil International (DCI).

This branch of the armed forces also has 46 transport aircraft, more than 40 training aircraft and about 100 helicopters for various purposes (including 30 AN-64A Apache fire support helicopters).

To improve the quality of pilot training, additionally last years 14 AS-350B Ecureuil helicopters and new training aircraft were purchased.

Air defense systems are represented by Skyguard rapid-firing anti-aircraft artillery systems, stationary and portable air defense systems, which are consolidated into one air defense brigade (three divisions/battalions) and five Hawk air defense systems batteries. In order to increase the combat potential of the national air defense system, it was decided to form an additional 20 to 24 air defense missile batteries. The type of the complex itself that will be purchased has not yet been determined, and the foreign press notes that it could be either the American Patriot PAC-3 or the Russian S-300PMUI V. In the meantime, the UAE military is awaiting the start of the delivery of anti-aircraft missile and gun systems to the troops "Pantsir-Cl". The contract for its development was signed in 2000, the declared cost is 720 million US dollars.

According to many analysts, the UAE aviation command allocates quite large sums for the purchase of modern missile defense and other aircraft weapons. For example, a large batch of Black Shaheen missiles was purchased, which is a variant of the more famous Storm Shadow missile, developed by the European company MBDA.

The S-295M Persuader UAV aircraft is one of the latest acquisitions of the UAE Navy.

The military of the “divine country” began to pay more attention to “drones”.

Considering also that the production and sale of oil brings huge profits to the UAE, the military-political leadership of the country does not skimp on purchasing the most modern weapons and military equipment for national aircraft. According to experts, in the period 1997–2001 alone, about $6 billion was spent for these purposes. In total, more than $15 billion was allocated for the ten-year modernization program of the UAE Armed Forces, designed for the period from 1995 to 2005. The amount is quite large and far exceeds, for example, the expenses for similar purposes in a country such as Russia.

At the same time, the UAE leadership does not forget to provide comprehensive assistance to friendly states such as Iraq. For the latter’s revived army, the UAE last year donated 44 lightly armored Panhard MZ vehicles and other equipment and equipment.

UAE Air Force AN-64A attack helicopter.

TCB Mako was never able to obtain a registration in the UAE Air Force. Now the Korean T-50 is vying for its place.

Two Chinese-built patrol boats were purchased by the UAE MoD. underwent repairs and refurbishment and were then transferred to the Iraqi Coast Guard.