UK defence sales to the United Arab Emirates, including Hawk aircraft

This file concerns HMG’s efforts to secure defence contracts, including the sale of Hawk training aircraft to the UAE. It contains correspondence and memoranda concerning:

• The difficulty in securing an appointment to discuss sales with Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (UAEAF) Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Efforts to deliver a letter by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Douglas Hurd setting out proposals for a sale to Sheikh Khalifa
• Advice on tactics from the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s military advisor General Awad Al Khalidi
• A request for a visit by an Abu Dhabi Air Force team to the UK to observe RAF training methods
• The intervention of the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the sales effort during her visit to the UAE
• Sheikh Khalifa’s insistence on the deal being undertaken on a government-to-government basis
• Competition with France for the contracts
• A request for the purchase of eight Hawk by Dubai; the possible effects on a contract with Abu Dhabi
• Concerns that the coverage of Abu Dhabi’s interest in Hawk in the British press might undermine a deal
• The visits of ministers and negotiators, including that of K P Jeffs of MOD Sales

This file also contains correspondence and memoranda concerning:

• A possible sale of landing craft
• A visit to Abu Dhabi by a consortium promoting electronic warfare equipment
• Assurances of HMG’s continued commitment to Oman’s defence interests
• Contractual changes between International Military Services Limited and the government of Abu Dhabi for the supply of field engineering equipment
• A proposed visit to the UAE by the Duke of Kent
• Sheikh Khalifa’s interest in attack aircraft, aircraft shelters, armoured vehicles, artillery, and air defence equipment from the UK
• A proposed visit by representatives of Westland Helicopters Limited
• The effect of US defence sales on Britain’s ability to maintain its defence commitments in the Gulf
• Briefing notes for the proposed sale of Hawk to Saudi Arabia; missiles to Qatar; tanks to Kuwait; and communications systems for the Arab Space Satellite Communication Project (ARABSAT)
• The visit by Defence Secretary John Nott to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain, and reportage in Al Azmina Al Arabia