The Dean

I have no idea what this implies, but here's the story anyway........

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/58389...porter-of-arms

TGFKASE

Hey Dean...

Why the change of avatar to a pic of Bangleman.....???

The Dean

Actually Charlie Gillett, the brilliant BBC DJ who played music from all over the world ("Now this is something in heard in Senegal last week...."). He died yesterday, at 68. The thinking music fan's DJ.

Bonny Boy

...and what about the figures for arms leaving the UAE?


It's a re-export market to countries the USA can't be seen to be supplying directly.

Allegedly, some might say. I couldn't possibly comment.

The Dean

Presumably that SIPRI organisation mentioned in the article might tell you.

Bonny Boy

Possibly the documentation for arms out is not as thorough as for arms in.....


Yet another consignment of fridges for Whatsitsnamestan.....?

lionheart

It seems that only 4% of conventional weapons originated from the UK, compared with over 20% from Russia. Why are we so backward? Surely our companies should be doing better business over here.

shiva

Possible reasons

The US is pissed at the UAE especially Dubai regarding the amount of trade with iran, to appease them the UAE spends a shit load on v expensive American planes.

The US is pissed about human rights in the UAE, to apease them the UAE buys a shit load of helicopters.

The US is pissed about the price of oil to appease them teh UAE and Saudi et al buy a shit load of whatever to appeae them.

The Europeans are pissed about the above so the UAE buys a shit load of euro crap.

The UK is pissed at the UAE for a load of reasons and because we have a piss poor government they tell us to **** off.

The UAE is threatened by and feels threatened by Iran, Saudi and potential civil unrest so feels the need like all tin pot third world countries to buy a shit load of kit it doesnt know how to use, cant fly and most of it will never be unwrapped/used.

welcome to the wonderful world of geopolitics where all sins are forgiven by the means of profitable arms contracts to the companies with the loudest voiced lobyists.

oh and the UAE does use some of its kit in its deploymenst to Afghanistan, Iraq etc but it likes to keep that quiet

DesertOcean

BAE probably does more business there than you realize...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Systems_Inc

Boomhauer

There is no way in hell US foreign policy gives 2 shits about human rights in the Emirates or for that matter anywhere else, unless it is a country whos leadership disagrees with the US on a substantial level.

shiva

almost certainly not but its yet another reason to extort arms deals under the guise of righteous indignation

spart

And they build underground 'secret storage caverns' to park things in...

Millhouse

I am 100% convinced that Khalfia Park in Abu Dhabi is one of these. Why else would the park be around 3ft of the ground and have air-conditioning outlets and vents in the middle of the grass?? Oh, and it also happens to be next to a run way...

Bahtatboy

Potable water storage tank, very similar to many in the UK. They also need a huge amount of security.

Millhouse

interesting... do you know that for a fact? If so, then thanks you have solved this on for me!