Israel has been carrying out intense aerial bombing campaigns in the Middle East as world’s top air force leaders meet in the United Arab Emirates to discuss topics other than airstrikes.
The Dubai International Air Chiefs’ Conference was held ahead of the biennial Dubai Air Show, reflecting the delicate balancing act the UAE faces as it maintains diplomatic ties with Israel despite widespread anger in the Arab world over civilian casualties from Israel‘s offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas.
The summit was sponsored by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., an Israeli defense manufacturer, demonstrating the continued ties between the UAE and Israel. The Dubai Air Show focuses on commercial aircraft but also includes a military component, with exhibitors such as Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries.
Israel Aerospace Industries stated its full support for the Israeli military and its operational systems, emphasizing its national duty and responsibility to the Israeli defense community while providing top-quality service and supplies worldwide.
The Israel-Hamas conflict began on Oct. 7 and has resulted in over 11,000 Palestinian deaths, with two-thirds of the casualties being women and minors, according to the Hamas-overseen Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip.
Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have been major clients for the arms industry, spending billions of dollars on sophisticated fighter jets and missile defense systems amid rising tensions with Iran over the years.
Saudi Arabia has spent over $28 billion on weapons imports in the past decade, with Qatar and the UAE also ranking as major importers. These systems have seen action in the Saudi-led war on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, which has faced international criticism for airstrikes targeting civilians.
The escalation of attacks attributed to Tehran following the collapse of Iran’s nuclear deal has raised concerns of potential regional conflict, in addition to Israel‘s offensive against Hamas.
Participants from across the world attended the summit, with a notable absence of Israeli military officials. Discussions at the summit focused on regional challenges, including intelligence sharing across allied nations.
Air Force Brig. Gen. David A. Mineau highlighted the importance of solving shared problem sets, which include a common operating picture and shared threat warning. He also mentioned the challenges facing the region, such as the yearslong boycott of Qatar, which ended in 2021.
Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, emphasized the need for air forces to share information in order to protect freedom and life, citing the Russian war on Ukraine as an example.
In conclusion, the discussions at the Dubai International Air Chiefs’ Conference focused on the challenges facing the region and the importance of collaboration among air forces, with minimal discussion of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
