[desertdude]

Ahh! reading the wiki page my guesstimate was correct about its location and it being a shared base. And its not minhad but Um Nahad

[EyeBrock]

ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:

Pen will have a hard time saying goodbye to all of his 'girls' though.

He will just be fighting the shit-eaters in the bars instead!

[Guy_Fawkes]

It's not like the UAE was letting us base there for the goodness of their hearts, Canada and the Aussies have been paying out the ass for it. I think this demand was the final straw.

[SprCForr]

Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:

I wondering how many more brit birds are going to come back from their vacation knocked up.

Not very many. They think we're American's trying to fool them.

[desertdude]

Guy_Fawkes Guy_Fawkes:

It's not like the UAE was letting us base there for the goodness of their hearts, Canada and the Aussies have been paying out the ass for it. I think this demand was the final straw.

In return they spend billions buying your arms, it's a vicious circle.

[2Cdo]

I don't think we sell billions of arms to the UAE.

[desertdude]

2Cdo 2Cdo:

I don't think we sell billions of arms to the UAE.

Oh I think it does and save your eye rolls for later or on something you've actually looked up

http://www.provincialaerospace.com/Medi ... lsUAE0223/

Also remember UAE is the fourth largest Arms buyer of 2009 and almost 100% is western hardware you wont much if any russian or chinese hardware here.

[2Cdo]

desertdude desertdude:

2Cdo 2Cdo:

I don't think we sell billions of arms to the UAE.

Oh I think it does and save your eye rolls for later or on something you've actually looked up

http://www.provincialaerospace.com/Medi ... lsUAE0223/

Also remember UAE is the fourth largest Arms buyer of 2009 and almost 100% is western hardware you wont much if any russian or chinese hardware here.

You should actually read your own link. The contract is for 370 million dollars, thus not billions as you claimed.

Second point in your link,

$1:

A key feature of the program is the incorporation of unique design innovations that Provincial Aerospace developed over its 25 year history modifying and operating Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Chafe elaborated that, "These aircraft will be two of the most sophisticated Dash-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft in operation.

UNARMED aircraft whose main purpose is to patrol the United Arab Emirates territorial waters, monitor pollution and support search and rescue activities. hardly sounds like we (Canada) are selling them arms.

[desertdude]

Fine its not a billion dollars but still is over a billion AED. Also just realised how dickwadosh for company who deals with such tech with such signage. $ XXX AED ! Can't be dollar and AED at the same time.

Anyways its money going to the Canadians.

UAE spent 6 billion last year in arms and the US was the biggest seller I'm sure some of that money came your way too.

This is just how diplomacy and politics works, nothing is for free. If its not arms maybe its tech, IT or other services etc etc. I've seen a lot more Canadian clinics, hospitals, schools and Universties open up here recently, related maybe who knows ?

And personally I think its not great shakes for a few extra landing rights for flight which mostly service the middle. The reports as usual over sensationalise it by using words like black mail unreasonable demands etc etc

[2Cdo]

desertdude desertdude:

Fine its not a billion dollars but still is over a billion AED. Also just realised how dickwadosh for company who deals with such tech with such signage. $ XXX AED ! Can't be dollar and AED at the same time.

Anyways its money going to the Canadians.

True, but 300 million Canadian dollars as part of the big picture is pocket change.

$1:

UAE spent 6 billion last year in arms and the US was the biggest seller I'm sure some of that money came your way too.

I wouldn't bet on that.

$1:

This is just how diplomacy and politics works, nothing is for free. If its not arms maybe its tech, IT or other services etc etc. I've seen a lot more Canadian clinics, hospitals, schools and Universties open up here recently, related maybe who knows ?

I agree but you said arms, not tech or IT services.

$1:

And personally I think its not great shakes for a few extra landing rights for flight which mostly service the middle. The reports as usual over sensationalise it by using words like black mail unreasonable demands etc etc

The one thing the UAE gets for us maintaining a base there is money, lots of money. We also abided by THEIR wish to keep the existence of the base quiet so that other Islamic countries would not be upset at them. Adding this now, and the way they went about it is a form of blackmail. The UAE may have gambled and lost when we move our logistic tail somewhere else for a lot less money.

[desertdude]

From what I've come to know Canada SHARES one base. There is a huge US presence here from the military and the private contractors for both Afganistan and Iraq mostly operates from here. Blackwater was based for one, and you need to do is just go to the other terminal and 90% flights are to and from Afganistan and I don't see many Afghnas or Iraqia flying on those Hell the french have a bigger presence here than the Canadians.

So I don't think a shared canadian bases is a very big deal or "lots of money" The Americans would be more than happy to get the extra space.

[EyeBrock]

desertdude desertdude:

From what I've come to know Canada SHARES one base. There is a huge US presence here from the military and the private contractors for both Afganistan and Iraq mostly operates from here. Blackwater was based for one, and you need to do is just go to the other terminal and 90% flights are to and from Afganistan and I don't see many Afghnas or Iraqia flying on those Hell the french have a bigger presence here than the Canadians.

So I don't think a shared canadian bases is a very big deal or "lots of money" The Americans would be more than happy to get the extra space.

Nice.

Looks like you’re looking down your nose in Dubai at our mission in Afghanistan as you try and jack up the rent and benefit from the war.

A lot of young Canadians have died out there and you dismissing our sacrifice having less impact the French military is pretty disrespectful.

During the NATO mission, the French have lost 49 dead.

Canada has lost 151.

We have made our mark on the mission far from the shiny skyscrapers of Dubai. I’m sure that ‘bigger French presence’ shows the difference in our two countries approach to our commitments under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

[ShepherdsDog]

That's because the French are using their standard rules of non engagement in Afghanistan.