new Jobaria Defense System MCL Multiple Cradle 107/122mm Rocket Launcher at IDEX 2013

EAU, Rafale is too expensive for UAE

French President Francois Hollande discussed the possibility of the UAE buying Rafale fighter jets during his visit to the Gulf country and said a deal hinged on price.
"We think it's a very good plane ... We have said so to our Emirati friends and they don't disagree," Hollande told a news conference in Dubai during a day-long visit to the United Arab Emirates. "After that, it's a question of price."

A French diplomatic source said last week that France would discuss a long-running possibility for the purchase of 60 Rafale fighters during Hollande's visit but said no contract would be signed during the trip.

Negotiations between France and the UAE over the potential sale of 60 Rafale fighter jets to the Gulf country are ongoing and have a chance of succeeding, a French diplomatic source said last week.


Why not go for the "cheap" JF-17 then?

Fincantieri delivers "Abu Dhabi" ASW corvette and "Ghantut" FALAJ 2 patrol vessel to UAE Navy

The delivery ceremony of two vessels for the United Arab Emirates Navy was held today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia). These were an "Abu Dhabi Class" corvette, launched in February 2011, and the "Ghantut" patrol vessel, launched at the same yard in January 2012.

In the presence of Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salem Mohamed Al-Musharrakh, Head of the UAE Navy, Admiral Luigi Binelli Mantelli, Italian Navy Chief of Staff, who was represented on this occasion by Vice Admiral Alberto Gauzolino, Logistic Support and Light houses Inspector, Vice Admiral Andrea Toscano, Commander in Chief Northern Tyrrhenian Sea Department Italian Navy, Vice Admiral Ernesto Nencioni, Director for Naval Armaments and Alberto Maestrini, Fincantieri Executive Senior Vice President Naval Vessels, the ceremony began with the characteristic recitation of the Qur'an in accordance with the dictates of Islam.

Exemplifying Fincantieri's product excellence, both vessels stand out for their high level of flexibility in being able to carry out different types of mission in national and international waters (from patrol and surveillance, to defence against air and surface threats and attack against both land and sea targets), as well as for their high standards of accommodation and safety.

UAE Launches New Center to Fight Terrorism

The New Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi (Hedaya) was officially launched on Friday to bring about the best practices and knowledge to fight extremism and terrorism.
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, said that the Centre’s mandate will be three core areas: Training, Dialogue and Research.

“The Centre is dedicated to addressing the drivers and root causes of violent extremism. Hedaya will help the international community build potentials and share the best ever practices and researches to deal with violent extremism effectively.  It is going to serve as the premier international venue for training, dialogue, collaboration and research to counter violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations,” Sheikh Abdullah said.

He said that the initiative could not be more timely as there is a global agreement on the need to prevent individuals from turning to the path toward radicalisation, as well as to divert those already on that path before they are fully committed and mobilised.

Villy Sovndal, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, said that the Hedaya Centre is a significant achievement.

“The latest achievement is the launch of the New Centre ... is a very successful story as the level of activities had been breathtaking and at times even difficult to keep up without officials,” said Sovndal.

He added that such a Centre provides answers to the new challenges of the day that can only be solved through multilateral cooperation, by focusing on preventive measures.

Khalid Al Atiya, Qatari Foreign Minister, said that only through collective efforts the issue of terrorism can be solved.