Security, Aerospace & Defence

The UAE continues to spend heavily on its military capabilities, while at the same time pushing to expand its domestic defence-related manufacturing industries, as a means both to better protect its own national security and to contribute to diversifying its economy away from oil and gas. Significant agreements point to the long-term success of the goal of developing a domestic industry, even as deals continue to be signed with international arms manufacturers for military equipment for the UAE’s armed forces. In recent years a core focus in Abu Dhabi has been on the commercial development of the emirate’s own security, aerospace, defence industries, with the sector constituting a key pillar of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 long-term strategy. This chapter contains an interview with Maktoum Ali Al Sharifi, Director-General, Abu Dhabi Police.