United Arab Emirates plans to buy Chinese jets amid US concerns

The UAE is seeking to bolster its defences with a dozen L15 aircraft after a series of attacks by Yemeni rebels

A separate arrangement to purchase US F-35 fighters has yet to be finalised, with Washington being wary of Beijing’s involvement with the Gulf nation

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An L15 Advanced Trainer is displayed at the China International Aviation And Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai in October 2006. Photo:

Published: 1:58am, 24 Feb 2022Updated: 3:06am, 24 Feb 2022

The United Arab Emirates said Wednesday it plans to buy a dozen Chinese L15 aircraft, as it seeks to bolster its defences after a series of attacks by Yemeni rebels.

In December, the UAE threatened to scrap its mega-purchase of US F-35 fighter jets, protesting stringent conditions amid Washington’s concerns over China.

The UAE defence ministry said it intended to sign a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to purchase 12 of the L15 training and light combat aircraft, with the option for 36 additional jets of the same type, the official Emirati news agency WAM reported.

“We have reached the final stage in our talks with the Chinese side. The final contract will … be signed soon,” Tareq Al-Hosani, CEO of Tawazun Economic Council, was quoted as saying. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Fake drones are set up by the Houthis in a fountain at a square in Sana’a, Yemen in January. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for drone attacks that targeted the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on January 17, killing at least three people. Photo: EPA-EFE

Tawazun – the Emirates’ defence and security acquisitions authority – was seeking to “develop the UAE’s defence capabilities and to achieve its strategic priorities”, said WAM.