What types of cooperation are possible between Israel and the UAE

An Emirati analyst estimates that cybersecurity, missile defense, electronic systems and others are potential fields of cooperation between the two countries, which operate similar aerial platforms and see Iran as an adversary 

What types of cooperation are possible between Israel and the UAE

Emirati F-16s during a joint flight with US aircraft. Photo:  Chris Drazgowski/US Navy/Handout via REUTERS

Cybersecurity, unmanned autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft, missile defense, electronic systems and system integration are possible fields of cooperation between the UAE and Israel, according to Riad Kahwaji, a Dubai-based Middle East security expert and director of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis. He made the comment in an interview with the Defense News website. An additional field of cooperation stems from the fact that the two countries use similar aerial platforms, the F-16, and both see Iran as an adversary, Kahwaji said. 

Kahwaji believes that the pact with the UAE may bring an improvement of Israel's relations with Bahrain, Oman and Qatar, but he said that if Netanyahu revives the annexation plan, it "will be a setback that will definitely sway many countries from following the UAE’s path."

The website also interviewed Aram Nerguizian, a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, who said that the acquisition of the F-35 by the UAE is included in the QME agreement for maintaining the qualitative military superiority of Israel, and thus at the current stage the US and Israel are concerned about this possibility and oppose the supply of stealth fighters to the UAE. But this policy may change after the elections in the US.  

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