 |
| The US is Getting Restless, The UAE Keeps Huawei And also Wants To Buy The L-15 Made in China |
International Military - Compassionately with the cancellation of the purchase of the F-35 by the US, the UAE seems to have had another alternative. Previously, the US had asked the UAE to end relations with a Chinese company, Huawei. But the UAE refuses to do so.
Quoted from Defense Security Asia, the UAE's refusal to end its relationship with the well-known Chinese telecommunications company, Huawei, in 5G technology is said to be one of the main reasons why the US canceled the sale of F-35 aircraft to the Gulf country. Washington says it has set a number of conditions that the UAE must comply with before it is allowed to buy its advanced fighter jets. One of the conditions is that the UAE must end its relationship with Huawei.
Read Also: US-UAE Relations Deteriorate, Huawei Is The Reason The US Cancels F-35 Sales To The UAE
Due to the UAE's stubbornness in refusing to comply with these conditions, the US decision to sell up to 50 F-35 aircraft taken during the Donald Trump administration was overturned by President Joe Biden's administration in December last year. In fact, what the UAE is facing is also experienced by many countries where they have to choose between two world economic powers, each of which expands its geopolitical influence.
Although the most advanced US fighter aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin does not use 5G technology, the UAE will use 5G in its communications stations, telecommunications towers at air bases and various facilities and this is what Washington is concerned about.
Read Also: Taiwan Invasion Plan, China Called Capable of Fighting Taiwan and Its Allies in 2027
Pentagon Defense Secretary John Kirby acknowledged that one of the main risks why the United States objected to UAE-Huawei cooperation. That's because fears will give China an opportunity to "spy" on the F-35's capabilities and operations. He added that the US's desire to maintain the security and confidentiality of the defense equipment and defense systems is something that the superpower cannot compromise.
This important requirement is not only imposed on the UAE but also on all countries that buy defense equipment from the US. In fact, the relationship between the UAE and Huawei has existed for several years, long before the Gulf state planned to have F-35 aircraft for use in its air force.
Huawei has collaborated with UAE telecommunications companies in the field of 5G and various things and technology. The UAE government used Huawei's 5G technology to emerge as the most advanced Arab country in the digital economy, thereby transforming the country's economy as a whole.
Therefore, the UAE is not easy to end its cooperation with Huawei which is considered very important in ensuring the transformation goals of the Gulf state are successfully realized. As quoted by The Eurasian Times, the UAE government has told Washington that it can terminate the deal on F-35 aircraft, Reaper drones and other advanced munitions.
Not only that, the UAE Embassy in Washington also said the same thing. That the discussions with the US will be suspended and do not know when to resume. "The US remains the UAE's preferred provider for advanced defense requirements and discussions for the F-35 may reopen in the future," the embassy said in a statement.
Read Also: China Opens Up: We Are Not Disturbing, Australia Threatens China's Sovereignty and Security
Abysmal with the cancellation, the UAE has another alternative for its defense equipment needs. The UAE is showing signs of having Chinese L-15 trainer jets. Reporting from military-history.fandom.com, this aircraft made its maiden flight on March 13, 2006. The L-15 has two seats, two engines featuring the latest advanced technology developed by China.
These technologies include digital quadruple fly-by-wire (FBW), glass cockpit (two multi-colored head-down displays for the front and rear cockpits), and additional head-up displays for the front cockpit), and hands-on-throttle flight control. -and-stick (HOTAS). The downward field of view for the front cockpit is 18°, and 6° for the rear cockpit, exceeding US requirements.
Quoted from Defense Security Asia, the Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed in principle to purchase 12 Fighter Lead In Trainer/Light Combat Aircraft (FLIT/LCA) type "L-15 Hongdu" made in China, an action that will further complicate matters. existing relationship. long ago with the United States.
Read Also: Underestimated By China, Japan Is ready To Sell Massive Eeapons to Southeast Asia
The UAE is expected to increase its holdings to 36 L-15 aircraft in the future. "We are in the final stages of talks with China. The final contract will be signed by both parties in the near future," said Tareq Al Hosani, chief executive of the Tawazun Economic Council. Tareq said the plane had advanced technology.
The UAE's proposed purchase of FLIT/LCA aircraft from China is expected to worsen relations between the UAE and the United States after Washington acted to delay the sale of the fifth-generation F-35 aircraft to the rich Gulf nation.
President Joe Biden's administration has acted to delay the sale of the fifth-generation F-35 aircraft to the UAE following the Gulf state's move to forge closer commercial ties with Chinese telecommunications infrastructure provider Huawei through 5G technology.
Read Also: Lyrics Of Chinese-Made L-15 Plane After Suspending F-35 Purchase, UAE Strains Relations With US
After the United States postponed the sale of F-35s to the UAE, the Gulf state decided to buy 80 Rafale planes from France. The UAE is expected to purchase the FLIT/LCA aircraft from the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC).