The United Arab Emirates, which is accused of war crimes in its conflict with Yemen, has discussed buying more Australian military equipment during high-level talks in Canberra.
Late on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan travelled to Parliament House to discuss potential arms deals, holding meetings with his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, and Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.
The ABC understands the UAE’s elite Presidential Guard military unit expressed particular interest in purchasing the High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV), a multi-mission warship produced by WA-based shipbuilder Austal, which has previously been sold to Oman.
The Presidential Guard is led by retired Australian Army Major General Mike Hindmarsh who reports directly to UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
Mr Pyne said it had been great to meet Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to discuss potential military deals.
“Australia has a positive and growing relationship with the United Arab Emirates in defence and defence industry,” Mr Pyne said.
“Discussions included current defence industry opportunities such as for Austal ships and Aspen Medical.
“I expressed my wish to return to the UAE to attend next year’s IDEX defence exhibition where an even greater number of Australian companies are expected to be involved.”
Last year, Mr Pyne met with UAE’s Crown Prince at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi where he discussed possible military sales including ammunition and warships.
Amnesty International Crisis Campaigner Diana Sayed said it was “seriously alarming” the Australian Government intended to further develop ‘defence industry opportunities’ with countries with such appalling human rights records as the United Arab Emirates”.
“Australia held itself up as a leader in the successful negotiation of the Arms Trade Treaty,” Ms Sayed said.
“As a global arms control leader, it is deeply concerning that Australia would express an intention to expand its defence relationship to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, particularly as they are part of the Saudi-led Coalition committing horrific human rights abuses in Yemen.
“Amnesty International has repeatedly urged the Australian Government to publicly report the exact nature of all arms transfers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to date and to its allies in the war in Yemen, including the United Arab Emirates and cease the authorisation of any future arms transfers while there remains a substantial risk these arms will be used to fuel human rights abuses.”
The Turnbull Government insists all applications to export defence and dual-use goods are considered on a case-by-case basis and must take into account human rights.
Earlier this year, the Turnbull Government unveiled its defence export strategy which aims to make Australia one of the world’s top 10 nations for global military sales within 10 years.
