UAE confident of F-16 capability

The UAE yesterday denied a recent Janes Defence Weekly (JDW) report, suggesting that the country was deprived of superior technology and sufficient combat capabilities in the F-16/Block 60 deal.

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"All UAE Air Force requirements were met by the manufacturers. We obviously did not ask for everything."

The UAE has received the first batch of the 80 F-16/Block 60 aircraft, a deal valued at $6.5 billion awarded to Lockheed Martin.

"We do not work against anyone and we are not enemies to any party or country and this is why our armed forces are built on national defence bases," General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, told the media recently, underlining the country's defence strategywhich is to prmote peace and stability in the region, while defending the country.

"Our armed forces are meant to defend our country, people, independence and sovereignity."

JDW in its latest issue carried a detailed report on the 80 F-16/Block 60 deal, which was delayed due to certain technicalities. The delivery is currently in order and will be complete in July next year.

"While the UAEAF inventory is far from the largest in the region, its unique mix of modern fighter aircraft and strategic warfighting capabilities should make it a formid-able force," the report said, raising the question, if the country has the support infrastructure and the tactical insight to weild that force effectively.

While it is easy to tick off the numbers of aircraft delivered to the Emirates, it is not at all clear if the UAEAF is yet capable of exploiting all its heavy metal resources, the report, published on its November 16 issue, says.

"Some questions remain over the full level of technology access released to the UAE… The UAE may have had the financial and political clout to ensure full access to its own aircraft. However, if it is locked out (to whatever degree) of key items such as computer source code or electronic warfare libraries then it will be unable to exploit the full capabilities of the Block 60 without Washington's permission."

Al Mansouri said, "Whatever requirements we had, was met by the manufacturers and we are happy with their performance.

"We are currently conducting a series of upgrades and trainings. We have completed the Standard 1 phase and are working on the Standard 2 and 3 to upgrade their capabilities."

The aircraft is being displayed at the Aubai Airshow.

"I myself flew the aircraft and it is a fantastic aircraft," he said.

The US Air Force pilots are conducting training and upgradation a process that will continue till 2007.

"The UAEAF is now entering a period of consolidation, absorbing continuing deliveries of its Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Block 60 Desert Falcons and bedding down its freshly upgraded Dassault Mirage 2000-9s.

"These two aircraft types are the key to the UAE Air Force's future, and both fulfil different needs."