Sale of military equipment from UK to United Arab Emirates

This file concerns the sale of military equipment from the UK to the UAE. It contains correspondence on:

• Enquiries and orders from the UAE and confirmations of no political objection from the FCO
• The question of whether there is a risk of the blowpipe missile and launcher getting into terrorist hands if it is sold to the UAE
• The question of whether defence sales should be negotiated with individual states or with the federal government, and the case of Umm Al Quwain's interest in the Beeswing missile system
• Concerns that UK firms are losing out to competition because of their unreliability in delivery and the poor performance of some equipment, for example Scorpion vehicles
• The opportunities and problems of selling equipment to other Middle East countries