UAE’s policy of regional outreach resulted in a growing number of military partnerships. They favor local production and reinforce the UAE’s position as a key power in the region. However, while the UAE is pursuing a “zero-problems” strategy, the diverging interests of its partners render such hedging strategy unsustainable in the long-term.

Key Judgement 1: UAE’s current and future military partnerships are highly likely to increasingly rely on UAE-made equipment in the upcoming 12 months.

Key Judgement 2:  It is likely that, in the next 12 months, UAE’s military partnerships will reinforce its position as a key actor in the region and decrease its reliance on Western military power.

Key Judgement 3: UAE’s hedging strategy is highly likely to be unsustainable in the long term.