India-UAE Defence Agreement
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We need to develop amphibious and other power projection capabilities. Pakistanis can actually act as mercenaries. What kind of hard power can we bring to the table?
This whole Visit and these Agreements are mere OPTICS
In view of the prevailing Saudi UAE tensions
The window for selling defense hardware to the UAE is closing fast. We need to move quickly.
They have already bought SAMs, MLRS from SoKo recently and could be signing up for the K9 SPH in the near future.
Iirc, they have shown interest in the Astra mk1 for their M2000s. But now that they are retiring the jet, who knows if they'd still buy.
We could also provide training + MRO services for their Rafales as we do for Malaysian MKMs.
Otoh, UAE could be a possible source of M2000 spares for the IAF.
In any case, the UAEs own defense industry has made rapid progress lately with companies like the Edge Group showing off innovative weapons, including a jet-powered stealth UCAV similar to the Turkish Kizilelma.
They have already bought SAMs, MLRS from SoKo recently and could be signing up for the K9 SPH in the near future.
Iirc, they have shown interest in the Astra mk1 for their M2000s. But now that they are retiring the jet, who knows if they'd still buy.
We could also provide training + MRO services for their Rafales as we do for Malaysian MKMs.
Otoh, UAE could be a possible source of M2000 spares for the IAF.
In any case, the UAEs own defense industry has made rapid progress lately with companies like the Edge Group showing off innovative weapons, including a jet-powered stealth UCAV similar to the Turkish Kizilelma.
Well the 4 LPD ain't coming before mid 2030s.
But again if we're willing to land troops, then we will also be willing to send weapons.
Uae's artillary especially towed is underperforming, especially in numbers.
Same with its meduim-short range air defense systems.
can also help in developing a small rocket force for UAE.
But UAE has lot of other options weapons systems wise, our advantage could be *defence pact and reliable/trusted supplier*
How do developed Western countries project power and influence beyond their geographical boundaries? Check US, British or French.
They build and maintain bases in choke points and areas of interest across the globe. They maintain a dedicated branch similar to the marines and have built capabilities to deploy them using sea or air rapidly.
Our biggest strength is our human resources, which only a handful of nations can match. We should leverage that to secure our energy supply and protect Indian lives in conflict-prone areas like the Middle East and Africa. Our military is land centric and its blind to sea. You cannot deploy our army anywhere outside of our land borders as they are not trained or equipped for that. We have the 54th Infantry Division , at best it can be useful to defend Andaman.
All western colonial powers have this ability due to their history or their alliance structure. Because of our pacifist past, we never looked in this direction. At a lower level, Take a look at what the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are doing in Africa or Yemen. We can't even do that. We have never cultivated that kind of expertise.
Türkiye, the new regional power in Africa (1/3). "African solutions for African problems”
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The UAE’s ever-expanding footprint in Africa
As Africa seeks fairer global partnerships, the United Arab Emirates is stepping in. But is it a friend, a competitor or something in between?
www.ips-journal.eu
I doubt GOI would go for it anytime soon. A nation where the oldest party can stand against having nuclear weapons, "journalist on payroll" love portraying India as soft and meek, NGOs working as proxy for vested interest in creating ground for narratives... the shift in psyche needed is a mammoth task.
Its not just about training you know. Army can train and develop capability of it was mandated to do so. Even now, it trains with foreign military in various terrains and situations. It has fulfilled its role when called upon ( Mauritius, Bhutan etc). So, things like outposts and foreign bases for power projection won't happen before one more War at the least. Only a War can groom the public psyche needed for it. But that is if the GOI at helm at the time has the will. Otherwise, even a massive victory like 1971 just becomes an incident for movies and books while giving away leverage without substantial harvest.
Most of this is civil polity before military capability. Just my two cents.
Agree, we should also look for niche technologies apart from missile systems. We can share spy satellite data and upgrade their existing command and control system to an IACCS-like system. Also, support and maintaince of their existing fleet of Army, Navy, and Air Force, may be through private players. It can't be done instantly; 1st a team should evaluate their existing system if they are asking for any help.
Is there any possibility for UAE to join AMCA project as a partner , just like Indonesia joined South Korean KFX program ?
Except for some Russian equipment like BMP-3 IFV, the UAE military is mostly of Western origin. They have been trying to diversify though.
Their AF recently acquired Chinese L-15 AJTs in a move that surprised many Western observers.
Indian companies like Tata and AL may have a shot at selling 6×6 and 8×8 trucks, MKU helmets/bullet proof jackets, etc. in the short term. Brahmos could be an option too.
Unlikely. They have been eyeing the F-35 for a while. To get past the Israeli veto, they signed the Abraham Accords.
Since then, Isreal has been offering all kinds of military hardware to the Emirates.
I don't think so , because if UAE wanted to go for F 35 A then there is no means for 80 Rafale F4 order . UAE knows the challenges with USA jets as they already use 50+ F16 jets. I think they want more control over their jets which they'll never get with F 35 A . Su 57 and J 35 are possible options , but it'll be a direct opposite shift for them away from USA's side . They'll try to balance their approach, and for that AMCA is the best option for them.
The UAE is buying the Rafale to replace its M2000s (already retired) while the F-35 will replace their F-16s. Su-57/J-35 would not be compatible with their existing C4I/ADGES. Unless ofc they go in for a wholesale replacement of those core systems which is unlikely to happen.
The Emirates have traditionally been US allies. They host major US bases like Al Dhafra on their soil which were/still are the main theatre-level C2 hubs for US mil operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.
Like other Arab countries, the UAE also uses arms purchases to buy influence in Western capitals. (Qatar, for example, operates Rafales, EF and F-15s - all acquired in parallel deals iirc.)
Given the current tensions with KSA, an F-35 deal could well become a priority for the UAE.
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Well we could offer Astra Mk1 integration onto their other jets if possible. Also we can offer Pralay SRBMs, Pinaka MLRS, Akash AD etc.
I agree wish most of your points but I have some questions too,
1) total number of jets including both F16 and Mirage 2000 is less than 100 in UAE air force. Considering the size and capacity of UAE air force it is highly unlikely that they'll use much higher number of jets. Hence if F35 A is eventually ordered, it'll be much lesser in number,
2)Secondly, both UAE & KSA are allies of USA. Even if UAE gets F35 A , will USA allow UAE to use it freely against KSA , if any such situation arises in future ?,
3) Current developing situation in between Europe and USA ( especially FRANCE and USA) regarding Greenland and others, will be a cause of friction in using systems from them together in terms of Weapons exchange/similarity, Data access, Networking etc. UAE will try to find a solution in a neutral system for their interest.
My Final take is, Even if UAE goes for F35 A in small numbers , They're interested in AMCA. Strategic neutrality will be an essential need in future for country like UAE.
Let's see what happens.
Reserve this talk for when amca's first prototype flies.
The future of air combat, is in system of system's approach, this is what 6th generation is about.
But unlike US and china our central/lead node(amca) will be more limited.
In a forced choice, the U.S. would almost certainly prioritize Saudi Arabia (KSA), though the decision would be strategically painful.
Lots of scope for cooperation on the Rafale beyond training, and mro. But we have to move fast to capitalize on those opportunities. This is a very competitive market.