• The UAE Air Force and Air Defence are participating in the "Tuwaiq 2" joint and mixed air exercise manoeuvres, which began on June 6 and will last for two weeks in Saudi Arabia. WAM
    The UAE Air Force and Air Defence are participating in the "Tuwaiq 2" joint and mixed air exercise manoeuvres, which began on June 6 and will last for two weeks in Saudi Arabia. WAM
  • The military exercise directly involves the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan and Egypt, while Kuwait and Bahrain are participating as observers. WAM
    The military exercise directly involves the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan and Egypt, while Kuwait and Bahrain are participating as observers. WAM
  • The exercise is aimed at bolstering preparedness and the spirit of competition among participants, reports said. WAM
    The exercise is aimed at bolstering preparedness and the spirit of competition among participants, reports said. WAM

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Saudi Arabia and the UAE announce joint military exercise with other Arab nations

The Tuwaiq 2 exercise will focus on operational readiness and compatibility

Leila Gharagozlou
Leila Gharagozlou

June 07, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan and Egypt, announced a joint military exercise on Sunday.

The exercise, named Tuwaiq 2, will last two weeks and will aim to achieve readiness and operational compatibility and integration, Saudi state news agency Spa reported. Kuwait and Bahrain will participate as observers.

Tuwaiq 2 will largely focus on air exercises and will be carried out in different stages.

The exercise will focus on achieving high levels of operational readiness among the participating countries and will include training for tactical airdrops.

The air forces participating in the exercise will arrive on Friday to Prince Sultan Air Base, accompanied by logistical and support staff.

The announcement of this joint military exercise follows the start of military exercise by the UAE and Egypt that focused on improving combat readiness of the two nations.

The Zayed 3 exercises are due to continue until June 30.

  • Ground personnel from the UAE Armed Forces and troops from the Egyptian Army launched military exercises under the banner Zayed 3 in the UAE this weekend. Wam
    Ground personnel from the UAE Armed Forces and troops from the Egyptian Army launched military exercises under the banner Zayed 3 in the UAE this weekend. Wam
  • The Zayed 3 exercises involving the UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army will run until June 30. Wam
    The Zayed 3 exercises involving the UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army will run until June 30. Wam
  • The Zayed 3 exercises are designed to increase the combat readiness of UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army personnel. Wam
    The Zayed 3 exercises are designed to increase the combat readiness of UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army personnel. Wam
  • The Zayed 3 exercises involving the UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army also underline the historic and strategic relations between the two countries. Wam
    The Zayed 3 exercises involving the UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army also underline the historic and strategic relations between the two countries. Wam
  • Military co-operation between the UAE and Egypt is built on a long history. Wam
    Military co-operation between the UAE and Egypt is built on a long history. Wam
  • Held amid the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Zayed 3 exercises testify to the ability of the UAE to achieve recovery and the UAE Armed Forces' achievements in organising major military exercises, in line with the best international practices.. Wam
    Held amid the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Zayed 3 exercises testify to the ability of the UAE to achieve recovery and the UAE Armed Forces' achievements in organising major military exercises, in line with the best international practices.. Wam
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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

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Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

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Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

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9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

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