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2017-03-07

Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi in an exclusive interview with Nation Shield

Interview by: Staff Lieutenant Colonel Yousef Juma Al Haddad

H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs has confirmed that the generous patronage by the wise UAE leadership was one of the most important reasons for the success of IDEX and Navdex .

In an exclusive interview with Nation Shield, he said that defense exhibitions play a prominent role in supplying the Armed Forces with knowledge and informing decision-makers about the latest specialised technologies in the field of defense technology.

IDEX and Navdex offer opportunity for all Armed Forces branches to see the latest military technologies and the most important techniques used in the areas of security and defense. Excerpts from the interview

IDEX and Navdex exhibitions enjoy a generous patronage from the wise leadership of the state. What is the importance of this patronage and what is its role in enhancing the status of these exhibitions at the regional and international levels?

I should mention at the outset the statement of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, may God protect him, in which he said: “Through these defense exhibitions, we send a message of peace to our neighbours and to countries around the world that wish to enhance their security and stability.

It is an invitation of peace and not vice versa, because it is not enough at the present time to be peaceful, but you must have the power to protect your peace and security, and the peace and security of others, for we live in a time of surging extremism and violence.’’ This keenness of our wise leadership to organise IDEX and other military exhibitions emanates from the desire to transfer military knowledge to our Armed Forces, and strengthen the role of specialised exhibitions and conferences in advancing economic development and diversification of income sources, especially in the sectors identified by the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, most notably the defense industry sector.

There is no doubt that the success of both exhibitions is primarily due to the wisdom of the prudent leadership, and the tireless follow-up by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme commander of the Armed Forces, and his keenness that the two exhibitions should reflect the position occupied by the UAE in international forums and its experience in the field of exhibitions and conferences.

What role do defense exhibitions play in supplying the armed forces with knowledge and access to the latest specialised technologies in this vital sector?

Defense exhibitions play a prominent role in supplying the Armed Forces with knowledge and informing decision-makers about the latest specialised technologies in the field of defense technology.

IDEX and Navdex offer opportunity for all Armed Forces branches to see the latest military technologies and the most important techniques used in the areas of security and defense, through the display of the latest equipment, armament systems, command, control and communications. The strategy of the General Command of the Armed Forces relies heavily on the promotion and development of defense capabilities and the acquisition of the latest defense systems.

It invests in human resources, which are the foundation of building modern armies, through the provision of high quality training programmes. It adopts the strategy of balance in building land, sea and air capabilities, Special Forces, and command, control and communications systems.

What message would you like to convey through the organisation of these specialty exhibitions in the UAE?

There are many messages that can be conveyed through the organisation of these exhibitions in the UAE. The geopolitical changes in the Middle East have led to many security challenges to decision-makers, which have contributed to the growing role of IDEX and Navdex exhibitions as interactive platforms to discuss and learn the latest specialised world-class technologies, and to find capable solutions to meet those challenges.

These exhibitions also reflect the growing regional role of the UAE and the strategy of its Armed Forces to deal with all new developments in the field of defense technologies.

In the past decades, the country has witnessed a revival in defense industries sector? Will you shed light on the evolution of this important industry in the UAE?

The UAE defense industries, which had their beginnings in the 1970’s, have witnessed increasing developments in recent years by entering into real competition with their counterparts at the global level. It must be pointed out that the UAE defense industry has varied and diversified with the various motivations behind its creation, and the different strategic (political, military, and economic) factors.

It is not only subject to economic benefits, but it is also subject to the strategic motivation; i.e. reducing reliance on countries that produce defense equipment and supplies. Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB), which owns one of the latest warship building basins, Emirates Defense Technology (EDT), Mubadala, Inc. Tawazun, Inc. and Nimr have witnessed rapid developments in the production of defense industries.

It must be noted that the production of small arms by Caracal International LLC, competes globally in terms of quality and price. Caracal’s products feature innovative technical solutions, which are protected by internationally registered patents.

The UAE defense industries have made strong participation in defense exhibitions, most notably French defense exhibition Eurosatory in 2014, where Tawazun won several contracts, and Al-Tariq Missile System, which is the product of an Emirati -South African partnership and is fully assembled in the UAE, attained great success.

This year, during the 13th edition of IDEX, UAE companies recorded a remarkable presence, both in terms of number of companies and number and quality of products. This edition has witnessed the participation of more than 150 local businesses, and the launch of Rabdan, an 8x8 Emirati-Turkish developed armoured combat vehicle.

Al Jasoor, a joint venture company between Tawazun and Otokar UAE, which is a subsidiary of Otokar, has developed Rabdan. The Emirati company TASLEEH showcased the latest types of weapons, ammunition and the requirements of military and police shooting ranges. NIMR Automotive showcased new military vehicles in a variety of fields, including rapid intervention vehicle SUV, which is characterised by its ability to respond rapidly to tactical situations in remote areas.

Al Fattan Ship Industry displayed Al Fattan 16 Meter Combat Boat, which is completely designed in the UAE. The first advanced Emirati-made air- ground missile was unveiled. It can carry bombs weighing up to 500 kg, and can be used during day and night in a variety of climatic conditions. It is part of a joint venture between Tawazun Holding based in Abu Dhabi and Denel Company from South Africa.

The visits by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to IDEX 2017 has provided a great moral support for the military industry in the UAE. His Highness applauded the advanced national defense industry, which is an important pillar of our valiant Armed Forces.

He stressed that the domestic military industrialisation efforts are based on the solid foundations laid down by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul in peace, when he laid the foundations for a national military institution that undertakes all its mandated role in the defense of the homeland. This is being achieved today under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, by the manufacture of military equipment with purely Emirati hands and expertise.

The International Defence Conference was held on the sidelines of IDEX and Navdex events. What is the importance of holding such a conference?

It helps to promote the UAE’s economic position and strategic location. The broad participation by various countries around the world and prestigious international companies confirms the insight and proper approach of our wise leadership with respect to the leading role played by the UAE to achieve international peace and security. The conference is also an opportunity to inform participants of the defense equipment and technology owned by the UAE in all domains (land, marine, air, and security).

The conference also reflects the advanced level reached by the defense industries of UAE, as well as the strategic vision and strategic thinking, which have the biggest role in the development of the UAE defense industry.

The conference is an opportunity to familiarise the participants with strategic thinking and future strategic perspectives of how to face the threats and challenges faced by countries in the region, in light of the increasing dangers that beset them, especially the terrorist threat. It helps to know the future roles of defense system in countering these threats and dangers, and how to prepare countries in the defensive side.

The UAE Armed Forces play a major role in the preservation and consolidation of international security. Could you brief us on their contributions in this regard?

The UAE Armed Forces is an active party in the face of the main sources of threat that threaten regional and international security. The participation of the Armed Forces in missions abroad, in the Gulf, the Arab world and worldwide, has helped to promote the UAE’s position regionally and globally, as it is now seen as an actor in promoting global peace and stability. There is no doubt that all of this has enhanced the civilised image of the UAE in the international community.

The UAE Armed Forces has participated in many military operations that reflect the responsibility of the UAE in its regional and international environment, which included a variety of tasks that ranged from a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon in 1976 as part of the Arab force that was assigned by the Arab League to maintain Lebanon against fragmentation, through its participation in the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1992, and the restoration of security and peace in Bosnia (1994-1996), the establishment of camps to house Kosovar refugees in 1999, clearing southern Lebanon of mines in 2001, its participation within the peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan “ISAF”, effective contribution in peacekeeping and security in the Kingdom of Bahrain after attempts to destabilise it in March 2011, and finally its participation in the international coalition in the war on Daesh in 2014, and its participation with the Saudi-led coalition forces in Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restoring Hope, to restore legitimacy against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The UAE Armed Forces had a heroic and noble role in the battles that took place on the land of sisterly Yemen, whether in the combat operations, in which the sons of the UAE showed high level of combat efficiency, the peace processes where the Emirati forces played a major role in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen, or the training operations where the Emirati forces are training and equipping the Yemeni forces in order to restore legitimacy.

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