ABU DHABI // UAE armed forces play an "absolutely essential" role in supporting UK troops in Afghanistan, particularly by locating roadside bombs, according to a British military official.
Emirati troops, who operate with the British in the Helmand province, discovered more than 50 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during their last six-month deployment in the country, said Col Rupert Robson, the defence attaché at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
"The Emirates is doing a brilliant job," Col Robson said. "One of the successes they've had is with detecting IEDs which may have otherwise killed coalition forces. They are contributing hugely and having tangible success."
The UAE Army uses unmanned aircraft to detect whether earth has been moved to plant an IED, then alerts other forces to dispose of the device, said Col Robson, who took up his position in November.
Last year, 512 international troops died in Afghanistan, including 280 killed by IEDs. Britain has deployed 200 counter-IED specialists already this month after going through the bloodiest year for its troops since the Falkland's war.
The violence shows no signs of abating. On Monday, Taliban gunmen and suicide bombers launched a brazen attack on government buildings in Kabul, with large explosions and four hours of gun battles rocking the capital. At least 12 people were killed and 71 injured in the attack.
The UAE has said it has about 250 troops in Afghanistan, where they have been stationed since 2003. Helmand, a Taliban stronghold, is one of the most dangerous parts of the country. Two British soldiers were killed by an IED while on patrol there on Monday.
The Emirates also offers support by allowing coalition forces to use its sea ports and airports.
"The Emirates very kindly allows us to use its facilities to transit through to Afghanistan - airports to land at and ports to maintain ships," Col Robson said.
"They are in exactly the right part of the world. It's obviously key; we couldn't do what we are doing in Afghanistan at the moment without the help of the UAE."
Col Robson said he hopes military relations between the countries would be strengthened through joint exercises and training. "We are always looking for opportunities to train with the Emirates because our histories as two armies go back a long way," he said. "One of the reasons we want to reinforce these links is because of the absolutely essential role the Emirates plays in supporting our forces in Afghanistan."
In February, 120 British Marines will join the same number of Emirati naval personnel for a three-week training exercise on the coast near Al Hamra. Several British ships on patrol in nearby waters will assist with the exercise, in which a mix of UAE and British forces will attempt to land on an "enemy" beach in a manoeuvre similar to the D-Day landings.
"The Emiratis are attempting to enhance their amphibious capacity," Col Robson said. "This will be a big test of co-ordination. It's a very complicated exercise."
Last summer, the Air Force took part in the prestigious Red Flag war games with the US in the Nevada desert, another example of the country's drive to develop its military capacity.
Other areas of military co-operation between the UK and UAE include loan servicemen - when military officers work with the armed forces of an ally to help build their capabilities.
Britain currently has five servicemen on loan to the UAE in training or advisory roles. They wear Emirati uniforms and answer to the Emirati chain of command.
"It's a small contribution but it's pretty important," Col Robson said.
lmorris@thenational.ae
MEDIEVIL (1998)
Developer: SCE Studio Cambridge
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Console: PlayStation, PlayStation 4 and 5
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE medallists at Asian Games 2023
Gold
Magomedomar Magomedomarov – Judo – Men’s +100kg
Khaled Al Shehi – Jiu-jitsu – Men’s -62kg
Faisal Al Ketbi – Jiu-jitsu – Men’s -85kg
Asma Al Hosani – Jiu-jitsu – Women’s -52kg
Shamma Al Kalbani – Jiu-jitsu – Women’s -63kg
Silver
Omar Al Marzooqi – Equestrian – Individual showjumping
Bishrelt Khorloodoi – Judo – Women’s -52kg
Khalid Al Blooshi – Jiu-jitsu – Men’s -62kg
Mohamed Al Suwaidi – Jiu-jitsu – Men’s -69kg
Balqees Abdulla – Jiu-jitsu – Women’s -48kg
Bronze
Hawraa Alajmi – Karate – Women’s kumite -50kg
Ahmed Al Mansoori – Cycling – Men’s omnium
Abdullah Al Marri – Equestrian – Individual showjumping
Team UAE – Equestrian – Team showjumping
Dzhafar Kostoev – Judo – Men’s -100kg
Narmandakh Bayanmunkh – Judo – Men’s -66kg
Grigorian Aram – Judo – Men’s -90kg
Mahdi Al Awlaqi – Jiu-jitsu – Men’s -77kg
Saeed Al Kubaisi – Jiu-jitsu – Men’s -85kg
Shamsa Al Ameri – Jiu-jitsu – Women’s -57kg
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
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Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
SPEC SHEET: SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP5
Display: Main – 6.7" FHD+ Dynamic Amoled 2X, 2640 x 1080, 22:9, 425ppi, HDR10+, up to 120Hz; cover – 3/4" Super Amoled, 720 x 748, 306ppi
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 4nm, octa-core; Adreno 740 GPU
Memory: 8GB
Capacity: 256/512GB
Platform: Android 13, One UI 5.1.1
Main camera: Dual 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) + 12MP wide (f/1.8), OIS
Video: 4K@30/60fps, full-HD@60/240fps, HD@960fps
Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2)
Battery: 3700mAh, 25W fast charging, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Connectivity: 5G; Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC (Samsung Pay)
I/O: USB-C
Cards: Nano-SIM + eSIM; no microSD slot
Colours: Cream, graphite, lavender, mint; Samsung.com exclusives – blue, grey, green, yellow
In the box: Flip 4, USB-C-to-USB-C cable
Price: Dh3,899 / Dh4,349
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Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
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QUARTER-FINAL
Wales 20-19 France
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France: T: Vahaamahina, Ollivon, Vakatawa Cons: Ntamack (2)
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 0
Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90+4')
Results
5.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Al Battar, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer).
6.05pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Good Fighter, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
6.40pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
7.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m; Winner: Immortalised, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
7.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Franz Kafka, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
8.25pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Mayadeen, Connor Beasley, Doug Watson.
9pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Chiefdom, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
Company profile
Name: Tabby
Founded: August 2019; platform went live in February 2020
Founder/CEO: Hosam Arab, co-founder: Daniil Barkalov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Payments
Size: 40-50 employees
Stage: Series A
Investors: Arbor Ventures, Mubadala Capital, Wamda Capital, STV, Raed Ventures, Global Founders Capital, JIMCO, Global Ventures, Venture Souq, Outliers VC, MSA Capital, HOF and AB Accelerator.
Race card
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
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