Increased international cooperation will be a major part of the forthcoming UK Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), the country’s Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Philip Dunne, told reporters here at the Dubai Airshow yesterday. Dunne is here in Dubai leading a delegation of around 100 British companies exhibiting at the show, many of which are eagerly awaiting the contents of the SDSR, which is expected to be released two weeks from now, on Monday, November 23.

While Dunne gave no details of what the review might contain, he commented: “We have a theme running through that document about the importance of international relations. Strengthening allies and partnerships are at the core of our mission, and the Gulf plays an important part in that.”

UK forces have played an increasingly important role in the theater since the Gulf War, and recently the Royal Navy announced a new base in Bahrain, the UK’s first permanent military installation “east of Suez” since 1971. Dunne would not be drawn out on whether further UK forces would be based in the Gulf, but suggested that the SDSR might include elements that would underline the UK’s “reassurance” to its Middle East allies.

In terms of industry, the Gulf region, and the UAE in particular, offers significant potential for partnerships. “We are looking to find opportunities in the defense and security sector to work with Emirati companies,” remarked Dunne. “We see the [United Arab] Emirates as one of the leading nations in developing indigenous capability in this field.”