ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) – Russia put up for sale weapons ranging from Kalashnikov assault rifles to missile systems at the biannual arms fair in the United Arab Emirates on Monday.
The weapons sold at an international defense exhibition and conference in the United Arab Emirates’ capital, Abu Dhabi, underscore how the Gulf Arab Federation has sought to embrace Moscow while balancing its ties with the West.
Russian money continues to flow into Dubai’s hot property market as Russia’s war against Ukraine marks her first anniversary on Friday.
This year’s event was attended by Khalifa Haftar, Libya’s self-proclaimed military commander. He faces a US lawsuit for organizing indiscriminate attacks on civilians and for torturing and killing political opponents.
To reach the Russian exhibition tent, visitors to the exhibition had to exit Abu Dhabi’s cave-like National Exhibition Center and cross a skybridge to the outdoor area. Russian authorities initially stopped AP journalists from entering the tent while the event was taking place, without explanation. About an hour later, an AP journalist saw Denis Manturov, Russia’s Minister of Trade and Industry, emerge from the tent.
Manturov is under sanctions from both the US and the UK, and London says it is “responsible for overseeing the Russian arms industry and equipping the mobilized forces” in the war with Ukraine. , explained that the ongoing war would promote Russian weapons.
When asked about Russia’s presence at arms shows, the US State Department told the Associated Press that “potential buyers should maintain ties with Ukraine and avoid large purchases of Russian weapons and equipment.” .
Inside a Russian tent, a video screen proclaimed the power of Moscow’s surface-to-air missile system, which is currently being used to attack Ukrainian cities. Bender showed the Emirati Kalashnikov assault rifle. Other model rockets were also exhibited.
Just outside the tent, a Russian helicopter displayed several commercial aircraft with an attractive young woman in a silver flying cap beside her.
UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan did not appear at the opening ceremony, which was attended by his brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. However, the Arms Expo Russian magazine printed an English version with a photo of Sheikh Mohammed smiling and shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a previous visit to Moscow. Meanwhile, a huge armed Baikal drone was parked next to the Russian tent. The Turkish company’s Bayraktar drone played such an important role in Kiev’s campaign against Russia that there is even a song about the plane in Ukrainian.
A short walk away, a U.S. Army unit displayed a model of the Javelin anti-tank missile for the curious to launch with a computer simulation of him.
U.S. Army 1st Sergeant Evan Williams, 2nd to 116th Cavalry Regiment, said he and his soldiers were fair and curious about the weapons Ukraine used to deadly effect against Russian armored vehicles.
