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The Gulf Union (GCC) : defense first
Dr. Theodore Karasik
Posted on May 8, 2013 by editor
Last updated: May 8, 2013 at 10:33 am
In 2011, when Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah announced the intention to create the Gulf Union, one facet of the initiative stood out immediately—that of defense.
The idea of the Gulf Union is to unify many aspects of the GCC under a new mantle, across a number of fields from economics to social issues to defense. Defense of the GCC is a paramount concern in the current regional environment, especially considering Iran’s assertive behavior in the Arab states.
The Peninsula Shield forces are a stepping stone towards creating a Gulf Union. The Peninsula Shield is becoming a robust force and protector of the GCC. In the past, the Peninsula Shield was used in Kuwait and in Bahrain as a protective force against outside hostility. Currently, Peninsula Shield numbers are growing, new equipment is being added, and with the GCC under threat from events in Syria and from Iran’s growing arsenal of conventional weapons and asymmetric warfare capabilities, now is the time for greater unity of the GCC under a GCC Union. Joint exercises to protect air, land, and sea from foreign threats are increasing, including the “Islands of Loyalty” war games conducted last year.
A stepping stone towards harmony
There is even the possibility, that because of threats from the Syrian battlefield, Jordan may join the GCC as a security partner, thereby guaranteeing that the Peninsula Shield could be used if Amman is in trouble. In other words, the Peninsula Shield forces are a stepping stone towards harmony and an agreement between all member states and neighbors towards a Gulf Union.
Within the realm of defense, there is also the fact that Iran, as a threat to the GCC, helps to unite the GCC, under a unified defensive umbrella against Tehran’s sophisticated ballistic and cruise missile systems. Ballistic missiles were used in previous wars in the Gulf littoral region and will be used in any future conflicts so hedging against them is very important. The fact that the United States has placed PAC-3 systems in almost all the GCC states, and has already sold a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD system to the UAE, helps to unite the member countries together in anti-ballistic and cruise missile defense systems. The U.S. is now pushing the GCC states to act directly with each other in a multilateral system. Currently the GCC is working with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on creating a true, integrated defensive system. In addition, the GCC states themselves, besides the UAE, are discussing with Washington D.C. the possible acquisition of the THAAD system. Slowly but surely, a defensive shield will help bring together the GCC states into a unified Gulf Union based on defense.
Areas of potential
The interoperability of GCC air forces is another arena that boosts the potential for a Gulf Union. GCC countries operate the F-15, F-16, F-18, Tornado, and Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft as their front line defensive systems. These aircraft and the systems onboard are highly interoperable with the appropriate technological adjustments and links, especially with the Link 16 system. Currently, the GCC states are buying up dozens of sophisticated fighter aircraft, mostly relying on the UK’s Typhoon jet. It is critical for the GCC air forces to be interlinked together and, with the use of the same jet fighters, interoperability becomes more effective both in terms of systems and with regards to the manpower plus the maintenance and training involved. No better example of joint operations and interoperability was seen in the air than during the campaign over Libya, which featured both UAE and Qatari air forces playing a major role with NATO forces. The future use of GCC aircraft in regional contingencies helps to build the case for a Gulf Union based on the dominance of airpower capabilities.
Finally, the unification of the defense industry may be another significant building block for a GCC Union. Based on the UAE’s own Tawazun and Mubadala and their successful joint ventures and subsidiaries, other GCC states are starting to create their own projects such as Saudi Arabia’s Taqnia. The point of the creation of these indigenous defense industries is clear; to be able to employ nationals and give them the training and knowledge management skills necessary to promote regional defense industries that helps the GCC states to become producers, not buyers. Over time, the GCC states can unite in this important area in forming a GCC Union.
Overall, despite hurdles, defensive unity promotes the foundation of a GCC Union. Once established, other pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. We must not forget that defense is the one aspect of the GCC states that is unbreakable and a necessary component in a changing and evolving regional security environment.
Dr. Theodore Karasik is the Director of Research and Consultancy at the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA) in Dubai, UAE. He is also a Lecturer at University of Wollongong Dubai. Dr. Karasik received his Ph.D in History from the University of California Los Angles.
A Project of the George C. Marshall and Claremont Institutes
Missilethreat
GCC Announces a Joint Military Command
Dec. 11, 2013 - 07:09PM
By AWAD MUSTAFA
DUBAI — Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Wednesday announced the formation of a unified military command for the GCC countries.
The unified command set-up has been mandated to the GCC Joint Military Committee, according to a statement released by the council's secretariat at the end of the 34th Summit in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
The council also announced the establishment of the Gulf Academy for Strategic and Security Studies in the United Arab Emirates.
The academy will aim to bolster military cooperation through a unified education based institution, according to Matthew Hedges, analyst for the Institute of Near East and Gulf Military Analysis.
"The academy will look to increase knowledge transfer and greater comprehend a unified realization of threats across the entire GCC region," he said. "There will be an initial focus on missile defense, border security and counter terrorism.”
In the December 2000, the member states agreed to a joint defense agreement based on the principle that any aggression against a member state would be considered as aggression against all the GCC states.
The agreement obliged all the six states to provide military assistance to help each other. It further established a Joint Military Committee to supervise cooperation and promote collaboration in joint military exercises and coordination in the field of military industries.
"The declaration highlights the increasing construction of a regional security architecture which was started with the peninsula shield force and is an issue that is seen by outside observers to need more attention," Hedges added.
In 2006, Saudi Arabia circulated a proposal during the GCC summit meeting in Riyadh that called for the adoption of “centralized command and decentralized forces,” and to disband the Peninsula Shield force as a collective single military unit in the region.
The announcement came following years of indecision and non-movement. The kingdom proposed that each GCC state should designate certain military units to be part of the new structure and to station those units within each state’s national territory. The units would then be linked to a unified central command, according to a report published by Dr. Christian Koch of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, a German think tank.
However, what emerged was the 2009 agreement to create a joint force for quick intervention to address security threats, as was demonstrated in the UAE-Saudi intervention in Bahrain in 2011.
Last week, US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel emphasized the need for greater cooperation between the GCC and the US, which will in turn sell weapons to the GCC nations as a single block. He added that the US wanted to expand missile defense cooperation in the region to combat threats.
The GCC statement also condemned Iran's continuation of the occupation of the Greater and Lesser Tunbs and Abu Musa island.
"The GCC continues to support of the right of sovereignty of the UAE over the three islands and considers any actions or practices carried out by Iran on the the islands null and void, as they do not change the historical facts and the legal rights and sovereignty of the UAE over the islands," said GCC Secretary General Abdel Latif Al Zayani.
Defense News
GCC joint command will bolster regional security
RIYADH: RASHID HASSAN
Published — Friday 13 December 2013
Saudis across the spectrum hailed the decision taken by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to form a unified military command for GCC countries on Thursday, saying it would reinforce regional security architecture.
The GCC summit in Kuwait City adopted the key decision on the formation of a joint military command for the member states.
Speaking with Arab News, Saud Al-Suwaileh of the US-Saudi Business Council said: “The decision will strengthen the six-member council’s defense capabilities amid growing challenges.”
Al-Suwaileh stated that the joint military command would bolster military cooperation through a unified attempt to strengthen the defense system in the region.
Fawaz Al-Otaibi, a senior academician, described it as a very positive step.
He said that GCC countries, notably Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE, formed the Peninsula Shield force in 1982 to strengthen the regional security system and that this decision would further strengthen GCC military cooperation and will coordinate joint efforts to face such challenges.
He said that GCC countries also agreed to set up a GCC police force and establish the Gulf Academy for Strategic and Security Studies in the UAE, which will increase knowledge transfer on security systems and achieve a unified realization of threats across the GCC region.
Abdullah Alkuhaini, general manager of Sesco, hailed the decision and emphasized the significance of the joint military command, saying it would strengthen GCC military cooperation and the security system in the region.
The annual summit of GCC leaders concluded its deliberations by adopting key decisions, including the formation of a joint military command to strengthen the six-member group’s defense capabilities amid growing regional challenges.
Arab News
UAE to create 'Sandhurst' type military college
By Andy Sambidge
Monday, 31 December 2012 9:49 AM
UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has issued a decree to establish a national defence college to train the next generation of Emirati military leaders.
The college, to be affiliated to the General Command of the Armed Forces, will be based in Abu Dhabi and will specialise in preparing and qualifying the military and civilian leadership, news agency WAM reported.
It is likely to be similar to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, commonly known as Sandhurst, which is the British Army officer initial training centre.
The college will also identify and assess the challenges facing the national, regional and international security, it added.
The new facility will also "study the principles and requirements for managing and employing the state's resources in order to protect national interests", according to a statement published by the news agency.
Lieutenant General Obaid Mohammed Al Ka'abi, Under Secretary of Defence Ministry, described the college as the top national institute for military, security and strategic studies which would analyse threats to national security and find solutions to them.
Article 2 of the decree stipulates the formation of a Supreme Council for the National Defence College with the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces as its chairman.
The council will be responsible for the adoption of regulations, curricula and educational and training programmes to create future military and civilian leaders.
The council will also determine "the strategic priorities and issues of national, regional and international security", WAM added.
In November, it was reported that three of the six Gulf states have topped the world top ten most militarised nations.
According to the latest Global Militarisation Index by the Bonn International Centre for Conversion (BICC), the Middle East is the most militarised region in the world with all of its countries ranked among the top 40.
ArabianBusiness
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS)
Homepage - British Army Website
UAE Buys 2 French Surveillance Satellites
Jul. 22, 2013 - 11:37AM
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
ABU DHABI - The United Arab Emirates ordered two military surveillance satellites from France on Monday in a deal worth more than 700 million euros (US $913.2 million).
The Falcon Eye deal, signed in Abu Dhabi over competition from Lockheed Martin of the United States, includes the supply and launch of two high-resolution Helios surveillance satellites, a control station and training for 20 UAE engineers.
The two satellites will be built by Astrium, the space division of EADS, and Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between French Thales and Italian Finmeccanica.
They share in half the contract of a little over 700 million euros according to Astrium chief executive officer, Francois Auque.
The deal comes with an annex agreement between the two governments stating that French military personnel will help their Emirati counterparts in interpreting images and sharing received intelligence, said a member of the team of French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
DefenseNews
France to deliver satellites worth Dh3.4bn to UAE
Awad Mustafa
July 23, 2013
ABU DHABI // The UAE has ordered two surveillance satellites from France worth almost Dh3.4 billion.
The deal was signed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, the state news agency Wam said yesterday.
Two high-resolution Helios-type military observation satellites and a ground station will be delivered to the Armed Forces.
The satellites will be provided by Franco-Italian defence firm Thales Alenia Space and Astrium, a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.
Twenty engineers will be trained to use the new equipment, Agence France-Presse reported.
The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi and was worth "a little over €700m [Dh3.39 billion]", said Astrium's chief executive, Francois Auque.
France and the UAE said the agreement was a sign of good cooperation between the two countries.
"The two sides reaffirmed that for more than four decades, the UAE and France have enjoyed a strong and effective bilateral relationship, underpinned by a long history in the areas of energy and defence," Wam said.
It added the deal was part of a "strategic partnership framework" agreed to by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, and French president Francois Hollande during a state visit to Abu Dhabi in January.
Sources from the French ministry of defence were quoted this week in the French daily newspaper Le Figaro saying this deal marked the first major defence export contract for France within the past five years.
"It marks the return of France in the [Arabian] Gulf," a source was quoted as saying. "It is a great satisfaction for France and for our defence industry."
TheNational.ae
Note : Helios 2 surveillance satellite (Resolution of 35 cm) has very high 3D relief capacity, especially, perfect for our high increase targeting use cruise missile totally free (Storm Shadow / SCALP EG cruise missile or future SOM Cruise Missile) [guidance systems IBN (Image Based Navigation), TRN (Terrain Referenced Navigation)].
I think this directet against Iran and I doubt that Helios 2 for GCC can high Resolution 3D Charts from Israel !
A strong deterrent force under a unified military command of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will be made up of 100,000 personnel including combat soldiers, National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah has announced.
Prince Miteb made the remarks during a meeting with the top brass following military exercises conducted by the National Guard in different parts of the Kingdom.
He said the GCC unified military command would be set up soon with the mission to deter and respond to any possible act of aggression against any member state of the GCC.
The National Guard is ready to extend all help to this process, said Prince Miteb.
The GCC has already decided to locate the headquarters of the new military command in Riyadh.
Abdullatif Al-Zayani, GCC secretary-general, said recently that Saudi Arabia, which hosts the 40,000-member Peninsula Shield, was deemed the most feasible location for the command.
The GCC member states set up the Peninsula Shield force in 1982.
Addressing a meeting of the GCC Joint Defense Council in Bahrain recently, Al-Zayani said the joint military command would bolster the GCC’s defense capabilities amid threats from neighboring countries.
Sharif Al-Rubian, a political analyst, said the GCC move is significant in view of regional tension and the changing positions of Western nations on key issues confronting the Middle East, especially the Gulf states
“Moreover, the affluent Gulf region holds 60 percent of the world’s conventional proven oil reserves and roughly 40 percent of gas reserves… for which security is of paramount importance,” said Al-Rubian.
The Peninsula Shield has its base at King Khalid Military City near Hafr Al-Batin in the Eastern Province.
The National Guard is one of the three branches of the armed forces of Saudi Arabia.
The National Guard, under the control and leadership of Prince Miteb, serves both as a defense force against external attack and as a security force deterring internal threats.
Its duties also include guarding strategic facilities and providing safety and security in Makkah and Madinah.
Headed today a cabinet meeting that initiated issuing The National and Reserve Service Law, under the directions of President Sheikh Khalifa. The new law adds another layer to the national defense force to further protect our nation, secure its borders & preserve its achievements. The National Service will be mandatory for all male UAE nationals, above 18 yrs, or high school grads; it will be voluntary for females. The Service will cover military training at the armed forces, 9 months for high school grads & 2 yrs for those with less than high school. UAE Reserve forces will consist of retired armed forces’ soldiers and national service program graduates. Our message to the world is a message of peace; the stronger we are, the stronger our message.
UAE Cabinet introduces mandatory military service for all Emirati males
Ola Salem
January 19, 2014 Updated: January 19, 2014 20:51:00
ABU DHABI // The UAE will introduce mandatory military service for all Emirati men aged between 18 and 30, it was announced on Sunday.
And the President, Sheikh Khalifa, has ordered Cabinet to draw up a bill for a new national defence and reserve force.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, revealed details of the law on Twitter.
It will require all men who have finished secondary school or are aged between 18 and 30 to undergo military training.
The training will be optional for women.
“Today, I headed a Cabinet meeting where we started with procedures directed to us by the President with passing a law on national services and reserve,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.
“The new law aims to put together a new national defence in order to protect the homeland and its borders and its resources and gains.”
Sheikh Mohammed said the training would include military exercises, and those enlisted in the Armed Forces would receive additional security training.
Emiratis who had finished secondary school will have to serve nine months, while those who had not will serve two years.
The reserves will consist of those who have completed their national service and military personnel who have finished their time in the Armed Forces.
“Protecting the nation and preserving its independence and sovereignty is a sacred national duty,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted. “The new law will apply to everyone.
“Grounds of the Armed Forces are the fields of men and service there is an honour, and graduating from there is heroic, and our youth are the protectors of the nation, and its shield, and on them falls the responsibility of defending its soil.
“Our message to the world is a message of peace; the stronger we are, the stronger our message.”
The bill will now be passed to the FNC for debate.
Once passed, those eligible will have to report to authorities to determine their service status.
Working Emiratis will not be exempt. While serving in the military, time will be added to end of service and pension benefits.
All training will be held at Armed Forces centres.
Ali Jassim, an FNC member from Umm Al Quwain, said the law was long overdue.
“We wanted this to be imposed a long time ago,” Mr Jassim said. “However, now is also a good time. It is an honour to anyone who serves in it.”
He said many had welcomed the news since it was announced.
“It is vital that the youth know what is meant here by military service,” Mr Jassim said.
“It will give a person new skills, learn how to use a weapon, how to defend themselves and how to play an active role during any disaster.”
He said the main purpose of the military service was to “bolster the homefront”.
Fellow FNC member Sultan Al Sammahi (Fujairah) said it was important for young people to be trained in how to defend themselves.
“This emanates from the love for the nation,” Mr Al Sammahi said. “We as a nation do not view this as a new law, but a boost for the nation, a chance to answer back to the leaders and the country’s call.
“We are all today responsible for the country’s security and protecting it.”
TheNational.ae