Artificial intelligence in UAE military

“We have certain initiatives in regards to AI, but since it is an emerging technology we have adopted a building block approach. All three services, Air Force, Navy and Land Forces are looking to see what industry is doing going into the future. All three services, Air force, Navy and Land Forces are looking at AI initiatives in the training domain.”

He continued, “The system is fairly new, but it’s identifying the weaknesses and strengths of students.

The UAEAF&AD uses the Grob 115 as a screener, and a Pilatus PC-21, where VR, AI and simulation are used.  “Our pilots go directly to front line, flying Mirage 2000-9s, F-16s and other platforms, from PC-21s. It’s an initiative that we took ten years ago in UAE.”

It might be a huge jump, but as the Col Staff Pilot said “The PC-21 can pull 7G and a 300 knots cruise, so very similar to fighters, and we think they are trained well for that.”

But as he said, that doesn’t cancel the importance of having advanced jet training platforms which could be complimentary for intermediary training. “We are now working on the simulation, for advanced jet training. The requirement for an advanced jet trainer is an open debate. Some people think there should be an advanced jet trainer between the PC-21 and fast jets, but with AI and advanced simulations it is do-able and fairly efficient to go from high-performance props to fighters. 

The UAEAF&AD has an intention to purchase 12 Hongdu L-15s to replace the Leonardo MB 339s currently serving the Al Fursan aerobatic team, in two or three years, that could also be used as an intermediary trainer. The announcement was made at UMEX last February, and there could lead to an additional 36 being acquired as a trainer and a light combat aircraft. According to the spokesperson that is still under discussion.  

On a fifth generation asset he said the MOD is always seeking such solutions, ”There are still discussion on the [Lockheed Martin] F-35, but there are also other options in the east. There are many programmes launched across the world – 5^th/6^th generation. It’s a rapidly changing landscape – especially when it comes to UAVs.” 

Asked what is the biggest threat to the UAE, Col Staff Pilot Abdulnasir would only say, “The biggest challenge for the UAE is helping others to maintain stability. We are straight forward, and want to maintain a good neighbourhood, maintain peace in the region and everything we do is for that goal.”