The UAE is strengthening its influence in Africa through the delivery of Chinese-manufactured air defense systems to Chad
- UAE strengthens influence in Africa by delivering Chinese-made air defense systems to Chad
- FK-2000 air defense systems purchased from China by UAE and transferred to Chad
- Suspicion surrounding UAE’s involvement in fueling instability through hidden arms transfers
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has significantly expanded its influence in Africa with the recent transfer of Chinese-made FK-2000 air defense systems to Chad’s junta-led government.
The supply comes just days after UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with His Excellency Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, during his official visit to the UAE.
This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance Chad’s defense capabilities in the face of growing security challenges.
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According to local sources, the UAE purchased the FK-2000 systems from China and subsequently transferred them to Chad to strengthen the country’s air defense infrastructure.
The FK-2000, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system designed to target a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The UAE has been a strong supporter of Chad in recent years, supplying a range of military hardware to bolster the nation’s security apparatus.
This support follows a military cooperation agreement signed in June 2023 during the official visit of the Chadian leader, Mahamat Idriss Déby, to Abu Dhabi.
Following the agreement, the UAE sent a shipment of military vehicles and security equipment to Chad to enhance its capabilities in combating terrorism and improving border protection.
This system is expected to provide Chad with enhanced protection against potential aerial threats, bolstering its defense capabilities.
UAE’s suspicious weapons supply in Africa
Over the years, the UAE has increasingly provided military aid and weapons to various African governments, many of which are embroiled in internal crises or are led by authoritarian regimes and military juntas.
This has raised concerns about the UAE’s role in perpetuating power structures that undermine democratic governance and contribute to long-standing conflicts across the continent.
The UAE has faced accusations of exacerbating conflict in Sudan by arming the rebel group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been engaged in a prolonged war with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
According to Military Africa, despite facing pressure from the U.S., which led to a temporary halt in military supplies to the RSF, there have been ongoing claims that the UAE continued to supply arms through networks in neighboring countries such as Chad, Libya, and others. These shipments have often been disguised as humanitarian aid, complicating the situation further.
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One of the key concerns is the lack of oversight and accountability in the flow of weapons into conflict zones.
Given the UAE’s history of using Chad as a transit point for arms shipments to Sudan, there are ongoing fears about the ultimate destination of these weapons.
Despite assurances from Chad, the lack of transparency surrounding these arms transfers has heightened suspicions about the role of regional actors in fueling instability, with experts and the Sudanese army raising concerns about continued UAE involvement through hidden channels.
