Defence & Security

India, UAE consider increasing military ties

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have taken a fresh look at shoring up their military ties as part of their effort to substantiate a multifaceted relationship.

The visiting Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, held detailed discussions with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces. Diplomatic sources said that the talks explored ways to establish a "long-term" defence relationship based on possible joint development and manufacture of sophisticated military hardware in the future. Analysts say that discussions on the development of hardware are a step forward in efforts to streamline the military relationship, which so far has been dominated by naval ship visits and training exchange programmes.

NoozzVIEW; US sends another carrier

The decision by the United States to deploy a second giant aircraft carrier to the Gulf has inevitably re-awakened speculation that President Bush might be planning an attack against Iranian nuclear facilities in the closing months of his term of office in the White House.

10 security towers installed at oil facilities

Work has been completed on a contract to manufacture and assemble ten surveillance and security towers at several oil facilities operated by the state owned Central Refineries Company, according statement issued by the cabinet's national media centre. The statement said that workers from Nasr General Company, an industry ministry state owned enterprise, recently finalised work on the project, and that the company was undertaking several other contracts.

Gulf defence ministers approve proposal to develop Peninsula Shield forces

"Al-Hayat" has learned that the GCC's Joint Defence Council approved a proposal by King Abdallah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz to develop the "Peninsula Shield".

The defence ministers' approval of the Saudi proposal is a step forward in the six countries' military cooperation. Gulf sources asserted to "Al-Hayat" that the Defence Council meeting "was successful and its deliberations were characterized by a spirit of brotherhood and understanding."

Iran nuclear plans could trigger Mideast arms race: study

Iran's nuclear programme could trigger a race to develop atomic weapons in the Middle East, a study warned, highlighting a recent surge of nuclear activity in countries in the region.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) noted that 13 countries had announced new or revived plans to pursue or explore civilian nuclear energy over an 11-month period between February 2006 and January 2007.