UK defence sales to the United Arab Emirates, including Hawk aircraft

This file concerns HMG’s efforts to secure the contract for the sale of Hawk training aircraft to Abu Dhabi. It contains correspondence and memoranda concerning:

• Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s concerns regarding commissions being paid on the sale, and HMG’s attempts to allay his concerns
• A message from Edward MacMillan Taylor MP regarding his constituent John Manna who has advised seeking help from Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan
• The competition with France for the aircraft contract, including a proposed visit by the French Minister of Defence Charles Hernu
• Proposals for sending a personal message from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to encourage the sale
• The visit of K P Jeffs of MOD Sales to Abu Dhabi and Dubai
• HMG’s efforts to conclude the sale

This file also contains correspondence and memoranda concerning:

• General defence sales prospects in the UAE
• A visit to the UAE by the Chairman of British Aerospace Sir Raymond Lygo concerning maintenance of the Rapier missiles
• A visit by the UAE Electronic Warfare Committee to the US; and the committee's proposed visit to the UK
• Missile sales by the US to the UAE
• A rumoured ‘shopping list’ of UAE defence spending priorities
• UAE interest in purchasing vehicles and radio sets
• Sheikh Khalifa’s insistence on all defence sales being undertaken on a government-to-government basis
• The movements of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa, with regards to defence sales