Australian Arms Deals at Dubai Airshow Raise Questions About Sudan's Conflict

Australian companies have been represented at the Dubai International airshow, a self-described showcase for cutting-edge military aircraft and air defence technologies. More than 35 Australian companies participated in the event, which took place in the Dubai desert. The exhibition featured a range of defence products and technologies, including military aircraft and air defence systems. According to a report, Australian companies have exported nearly 300 million weapons over the past five years to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE has denied shipping weapons to a paramilitary group in Sudan, which has been accused of human rights abuses. A retired military officer, who was fronting the Australia pavilion, offered the key credibility of being in uniform for defence companies showcasing their products. This unique advantage was seen as a way to attract and engage with visiting military delegations. The briefing notes, shared by the head of the Australian pavilion, highlighted the importance of building relationships with international defence partners. The notes emphasized the need for Australian companies to demonstrate their capabilities and expertise in the defence industry. The exhibition provided a platform for Australian companies to showcase their products and technologies to a global audience. The UAE has been a significant market for Australian defence exports in recent years. The country has purchased a range of defence products and technologies from Australian companies, including military aircraft and air defence systems. However, the export of Australian defence products to the UAE has raised concerns about the potential use of these products in conflicts in the region. Human rights groups have expressed concerns about the potential use of Australian defence products in Sudan. The paramilitary group in Sudan has been accused of human rights abuses, including the use of violence against civilians. The UAE has denied shipping weapons to the group, but human rights groups have raised concerns about the potential for Australian defence products to be used in the conflict. The Australian government has stated that it has strict controls in place to ensure that defence exports are not used for human rights abuses. The government has also emphasized the importance of building relationships with international defence partners and promoting Australian defence exports. The Dubai International airshow has been a significant event for the Australian defence industry in recent years. The exhibition has provided a platform for Australian companies to showcase their products and technologies to a global audience. However, the export of Australian defence products to the UAE has raised concerns about the potential use of these products in conflicts in the region. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Australian government said, "The Australian government has strict controls in place to ensure that defence exports are not used for human rights abuses. We work closely with our international partners to ensure that our defence exports are used for legitimate purposes."