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Special issue Dubai Airshow 2019 / 9

can be many times greater. However, effective
drone counteraction can be carried out only
with the help of integrated solutions. Russia
possesses the competence to design systems
of this class and plans to not only discuss the
implementation of existing contracts with the
Arab partners, but also to hold negotiations
regarding the latest Russian means of
combating drones, a distinguished and
independent area of work.

The recent request by the UAE to test the
„Orion-E“ unmanned aerial vehicle on its
territory can serve as confirmation of Russia’s
competencies in this area; however, it is too
early to speak about concluding a contract.
A year ago, Dmitry Shugaev, director of
the Federal Service for Military-Technical
Cooperation of Russia, had spoken about such
a project in an interview with RIA Novosti.
However, he had not specified the exact country
willing to test the Russian drone in action.

In addition to UAVs, the discussion regarding
the purchase by the United Arab Emirates of
the Russian-Indian „BraMos“ missiles is also on
the agenda, but the decision on export will be
made by the Russian Federation and India only
after a firm bid is received. Currently, Russia
and the UAE are conducting negations on all
areas of military-technical cooperation, but
specific results will be known only after the
signing of relevant agreements and contracts.

LONG-STANDING FRIENDS

Diplomatic relations between the USSR
and the UAE were established in December
1971. A stable, trusting political dialogue
is traditionally maintained between Russia
and the Emirates, supported on all levels by
multifaceted contacts. This applies to the
military-technical sphere, agriculture, energy
and so forth. Russian ministers, regional
leaders and senators regularly meet with their
Emirati colleagues. In addition, such meetings
are held at the highest level. For example, in
mid-October, Russian President Vladimir Putin
paid an official visit to the UAE.

Trade and economic relations between the
two countries are constantly and dynamically