UAE: Arming up with mercenaries
Discussion
I'm surprised for a number of reasons.
I can't see the locals revolting - they're mostly too lazy and have it extremely cushy. What would they be demanding? A bigger wedding fund, more land given for nothing, more public days off from their 4 hour a day government job etc..?
Worker revolt? Happened once in a while in Dubai during the boom - Police went in, beat them up and arrested and deported those who persisted. They could easily handle it.
Other scenario - Iranian invasion? 800 mercs wouldn't make a blind bit of difference.
More likely would be demonstrations by the Northern Emirate locals.
I have no idea in truth.
I can't see the locals revolting - they're mostly too lazy and have it extremely cushy. What would they be demanding? A bigger wedding fund, more land given for nothing, more public days off from their 4 hour a day government job etc..?
Worker revolt? Happened once in a while in Dubai during the boom - Police went in, beat them up and arrested and deported those who persisted. They could easily handle it.
Other scenario - Iranian invasion? 800 mercs wouldn't make a blind bit of difference.
More likely would be demonstrations by the Northern Emirate locals.
I have no idea in truth.
my only suggestion would be that in case of something really bad happening - i.e. a terrorist event or terrorist attack, or even a threat thereof - that someone high up doesn't believe it can be handled by the UAE armed forces.
frankly, i agree. they have all the latest kit but for all intents and purposes are a completely un-tested entity.
blackwater may be simply training UAE forces to cope with certain situations, with a backup team if needed.
then again, it may just be chest beating and a show of 'don't f
k with us', but who to?
frankly, i agree. they have all the latest kit but for all intents and purposes are a completely un-tested entity.
blackwater may be simply training UAE forces to cope with certain situations, with a backup team if needed.
then again, it may just be chest beating and a show of 'don't f
k with us', but who to? Spoke about this in the office this morning with an ex-military chap who works in our defence business. He said that it is not news; fledgling nations always have a merry band of armed brothers on hand to lead the attack in the event of someone taking a pop. In particular this is the case in the ME where there are always competing families/brothers seeking ascension in the event of the death of a leader. He said that a good band of seasoned fighters always makes a coup leader think twice, as they are generally more skilled, more experienced, more battle hardened and less emotionally bothered when it comes to a ruck.
His view is that a force of this nature has probably been employed here in one way or another since they found oil. Certainly since the real value of oil was recognised during the fuel crisis in the 70s. This may (or may not) be a new contract but it is almost certainly not a new arrangement, or in any way different to those in place across the ME, several states in Africa and a number of other nations that have the funds but not the skills. He also said that $600m seemed a little 'light' for 800 people of this nature!
I noted when I watched it that the feature is light on facts but heavy on pointless debate and ideas generation.
His view is that a force of this nature has probably been employed here in one way or another since they found oil. Certainly since the real value of oil was recognised during the fuel crisis in the 70s. This may (or may not) be a new contract but it is almost certainly not a new arrangement, or in any way different to those in place across the ME, several states in Africa and a number of other nations that have the funds but not the skills. He also said that $600m seemed a little 'light' for 800 people of this nature!
I noted when I watched it that the feature is light on facts but heavy on pointless debate and ideas generation.
Asterix said:
I'm surprised for a number of reasons.
I can't see the locals revolting - they're mostly too lazy and have it extremely cushy. What would they be demanding? A bigger wedding fund, more land given for nothing, more public days off from their 4 hour a day government job etc..?
Worker revolt? Happened once in a while in Dubai during the boom - Police went in, beat them up and arrested and deported those who persisted. They could easily handle it.
Other scenario - Iranian invasion? 800 mercs wouldn't make a blind bit of difference.
More likely would be demonstrations by the Northern Emirate locals.
I have no idea in truth.
Not sure if its related, but the AUH Gov seems to be awarding an aweful lot of Emirati housing Projects in and around Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region! 5,6 bed villas - WTF are they going to do with them other than add them to their already bulging property portfolio?I can't see the locals revolting - they're mostly too lazy and have it extremely cushy. What would they be demanding? A bigger wedding fund, more land given for nothing, more public days off from their 4 hour a day government job etc..?
Worker revolt? Happened once in a while in Dubai during the boom - Police went in, beat them up and arrested and deported those who persisted. They could easily handle it.
Other scenario - Iranian invasion? 800 mercs wouldn't make a blind bit of difference.
More likely would be demonstrations by the Northern Emirate locals.
I have no idea in truth.
Hitch78 said:
Spoke about this in the office this morning with an ex-military chap who works in our defence business. He said that it is not news; fledgling nations always have a merry band of armed brothers on hand to lead the attack in the event of someone taking a pop. In particular this is the case in the ME where there are always competing families/brothers seeking ascension in the event of the death of a leader. He said that a good band of seasoned fighters always makes a coup leader think twice, as they are generally more skilled, more experienced, more battle hardened and less emotionally bothered when it comes to a ruck.
His view is that a force of this nature has probably been employed here in one way or another since they found oil. Certainly since the real value of oil was recognised during the fuel crisis in the 70s. This may (or may not) be a new contract but it is almost certainly not a new arrangement, or in any way different to those in place across the ME, several states in Africa and a number of other nations that have the funds but not the skills. He also said that $600m seemed a little 'light' for 800 people of this nature!
I noted when I watched it that the feature is light on facts but heavy on pointless debate and ideas generation.
That's about right.His view is that a force of this nature has probably been employed here in one way or another since they found oil. Certainly since the real value of oil was recognised during the fuel crisis in the 70s. This may (or may not) be a new contract but it is almost certainly not a new arrangement, or in any way different to those in place across the ME, several states in Africa and a number of other nations that have the funds but not the skills. He also said that $600m seemed a little 'light' for 800 people of this nature!
I noted when I watched it that the feature is light on facts but heavy on pointless debate and ideas generation.
No coincidence either that the Sandhurst-educated Sultan Qaboos otherthrew his father while the British military were on, ahem, exercises in Oman.
yorky500 said:
Not sure if its related, but the AUH Gov seems to be awarding an aweful lot of Emirati housing Projects in and around Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region! 5,6 bed villas - WTF are they going to do with them other than add them to their already bulging property portfolio?
i noticed this in the press too, along with a load of cash being distributed to emirati taxi owners. like i see many of those driving about!During the recent Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, we had to extricate one of our cars from the rally route late at night. The quickest way out of the big dunes was to find one of the oil field roads leading out to the tarmac of the Liwa Crescent. We came across one of the check points which were manned by white military personnel. The fact that we were coming from the deep desert out of the oil field area (as opposed to entering it) must have thrown the guys and we were not stopped. The point is that any check points that I have come across in the past have always been manned by nationals and not 'foreigners'. This was a first for me....
Desert Dog said:
We came across one of the check points which were manned by white military personnel. The fact that we were coming from the deep desert out of the oil field area (as opposed to entering it) must have thrown the guys and we were not stopped. The point is that any check points that I have come across in the past have always been manned by nationals and not 'foreigners'. This was a first for me....
By white I assume you mean Western. That is unusual. As I said above the roads in & out of the Habshan & Asab, usually had Arab police & Nepalese military. 
I think that part of the issue is that the term 'mercenary' carries such negative baggage. Places like the UAE fill the skills gap in all sort of industries so why not in the armed forces?
Like the chap who has posted above; if I'd put some years in to the armed forces I would deffo consider going on contracts to maximise my income!
Like the chap who has posted above; if I'd put some years in to the armed forces I would deffo consider going on contracts to maximise my income!
Your comment proves my point. A mercenary is a soldier employed by a nation that he is foreign to, not a soldier who is employed to commit terrible acts. A person who kills women and children for no reason is a murderer, regardless of profession.
Edited by Hitch78 on Wednesday 25th May 17:33
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