Exclusive: UAE contracts with Israel to buy military aircraft systems
Informed Emirati sources revealed that the Emirati regime contracted with an Israeli company to purchase defence systems for military aircraft.
The sources told Emirates Leaks that the contract was signed by the Israeli company Byrd Aerosystems, a provider of technology and protection solutions for air, sea and land fleets for governments and agencies.
The sources stated that the contract entails purchasing AMPS-MD systems, including the SPREOS DIRCM solution installed on Mi-17 helicopters in the UAE.
According to the Israeli company, the AMPS system provides the best and improved protection for military and civilian aircraft against all known types of surface-to-air missiles, including MANPADS, laser beam threats and radar-guided missiles.
The AMPS system detects, verifies and thwarts missile attacks through the effective use of countermeasures (light bulbs) that disable the missile’s infrared detector and protect the aircraft.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi intends to deepen relations with Israel after launching bilateral talks to reach a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
This came during talks launched via video conference, with the participation of Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, and Orna Barbivay, Israeli Minister of Economy, in the presence of Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Mohammed Al Khaja, Abu Dhabi’s ambassador to Israel.
The Emirates News Agency (WAM) said that the comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the two countries aims, if reached, to strengthen economic relations, promote trade exchange to higher levels, and create a wealth of new investment opportunities for companies of the two countries.
Before launching the talks, the Minister of Economy said that Abu Dhabi continues to develop its economic model to be more sustainable, flexible and open to global markets.
“More than a year has passed since the conclusion of the Abraham Peace Agreement between the UAE and Israel, as an expression of the common desire to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East.
“During this period, we worked on employing the new diplomatic relations between the two countries to enhance economic partnership, develop trade, investment, tourism, industry, and scientific and technological cooperation at the bilateral and regional levels.”
For her part, Israeli Economy Minister Orna said that senior Israeli officials from the negotiating team are currently visiting Dubai until Thursday for further talks.
“This agreement will greatly enhance trade between the two countries, eliminate barriers and expand economic cooperation,” Barbivai told Al-Marri, according to the Israeli Ministry of Economy.
Ohad Cohen, director of the ministry’s foreign trade department and head of the Israeli negotiating team, said he intends to agree with the UAE on trade in goods and services, regulatory procedures, government procurement, e-commerce, and protection of intellectual property rights.
Bilateral trade between the UAE and Israel recorded 3.5 billion dirhams since the signing of the normalization agreement in September 2020 until the end of September 2021, and 2.9 billion dirhams during the first nine months of this year, including trade, investment, tourism, industry and scientific and technological cooperation.
