The Ministry of Defence plans to sign a contract to buy 12 military fighter jets from China, with the option to purchase 36 more at a later date.
In a major deal, the ministry confirmed it was in talks to secure the L-15 Falcon - described as a training and light attack aircraft - from China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC).
Tareq Al Hosani, chief executive of Tawazun Economic Council, said the deal is part of continuing efforts to diversify and modernise capabilities of the Air Force and units of the armed forces.
“We have reached the final stage in our talks with the Chinese side. The final contract will be signed soon,” he said in a statement.
“We trust that CATIC has advanced technology that enjoys global competitive advantages.”
No value of the deal was released but China sells the twin-seat L-15 Falcon for $10 million to $15 million per unit, industry reports said.
That would make the jet, which debuted at the Dubai Airshow in 2021, significantly cheaper than many fighters produced by the United States or Europe. One industry journal said the aircraft is regarded as versatile and "best in its class".
The MoD and Tawazun statement did not state which version of the L-15 it was looking to acquire.
First introduced in 2006, a more recent version called the L-15B has a weapons payload of four tonnes, with the instructor's rear seat turned into a weapons systems officer's seat to manage guided weapons.
The L-15 designation applies to export versions of the jet, which is called the Hongdu JL-10 in China.
Zambia's air force uses the L-15 and Uruguay and Venezuela have reportedly expressed an interest in the aircraft.
Tawazun, which manages the acquisitions and contracts of the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Police, will work with strategic partners to develop the UAE’s defence capabilities, news agency Wam reported.
What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
