UAE and Australian arms sales

April 20, 2026

Thanks to Eugene Doyle for bringing to readers’ attention the fact that the UAE is a powerhouse of self-interested destruction on the world stage. Most readers were probably unaware that the glittering towers of Dubai are funded by arms sales and exploitation. I was stunned recently to learn that the UAE is by far the largest purchaser of Australian arms exports. (Yes, that is not an error: the largest - by far).

Ignoring the concerns raised by many NGOs, Austrade recently stated that “the UAE’s extensive and ongoing defence procurement program represents real opportunities for Australian suppliers”. Worsening the ignominy, Australia last year signed a bilateral free trade agreement with the UAE. Presumably this will ensure that Australian jet-setters can enjoy high-end Australian food and wine in blissful ignorance while enjoying a pleasant stopover there.