It’s been more than a century since the first armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) quite literally burst into the theatre of war. In all that time, much like the terrains they traverse, these beasts of modern warfare have witnessed many ups and downs. Despite their turbulent history on and off the battlefield, one thing remains certain: they are here to stay.
The main question concerning their future is not, as some falsely assume, whether they will survive the 21st century’s dizzying pace of technological development in today’s militaries. The real issue is how we develop them in line with the changing nature of war, in which hybrid, asymmetric and cyber tactics are becoming increasingly common. In a world where battles are more and more conducted in cyber space, these vehicles, originally designed for conventional warfare, will undergo one of the most significant technological evolutions in their history. The real question, therefore, is what these innovations will look like and how they will fit into the battlefields and militaries of the future.
Since they were first used in World War One to break through the stalemate of trench warfare, tanks have proven their worth tactically. A few decades later in the Second World War, they came to form the backbone of one of the conflict’s most successful military strategies, this time as part of Germany’s revolutionary Blitzkrieg or “lighting war”, which prioritised above all else the need for speed in the Nazi conquest of Europe. Subsequently, tanks remained for the best part of three decades a crucial part of a military’s dominance on the battlefield.
The intersection of artificial intelligence and AFV technology gives drivers the ability to assess and analyse instantly their surroundings
By the 1970s, a range of anti-tank technologies had been developed, mostly involving guided missiles and minefields. Many viewed this as an existential threat to their future.
But decades on, the role of battle tanks in mechanised forces around the world remains, proving the sceptics of 50 years ago wrong. Their technological, physical and psychological contributions to militaries have so far proved irreplaceable.
This will continue to be the case. As asymmetric attacks become more common, it is increasingly difficult to protect logistical infrastructure behind frontlines. Armoured vehicles will play a key role in safeguarding these crucial parts of a military’s toolkit. But to do so, AFVs will have to adapt to increasingly sophisticated, difficult to detect and often remotely controlled threats.
In response to this changing landscape, NIMR is designing a new generation of medium-sized, lightweight and highly mobile vehicles that can travel over 700 kilometres at speeds surpassing 100kph. This allows for greater efficacy in urban environments, faster deployment times and makes our AFVs less likely to be detected by radar.
The days of tank teams operating in isolation are over. Instead, AFVs are being integrated into other aspects of a military’s presence on the battlefield. As part of a bigger operation, these vehicles play an important role in terms of their defensive firepower, enemy targeting systems and thermal imaging technology to inform decisions in difficult terrain. They have great tactical advantages for communications and the command and control of ground forces, increasing efficiency on the battlefield.
There is also a defensive need for AFVs to play a role combating the threats posed by mines and IEDs. The hope is that protective technology will be scalable, to match the requirements of different terrains and conflict scenarios.
AFVs will increasingly help protect mobility for ground troops and ensure precision when firing at faraway targets. They are a particularly effective means for a military to combat enemy defence systems. They are capable of carrying heavy duty ammunitions and materials. This serves not just a practical role, but also provides a psychological boost to armies, while intimidating enemies at the same time.
The intersection of artificial intelligence and AFV technology gives drivers unprecedented abilities to assess and analyse instantly their surrounding environment and provide feedback to friendly forces in the field, as well as the virtual units that are monitoring situations from remote locations. For the first time this makes AFVs equally valuable counterparts to human military intelligence on the ground.
If these vehicles are able to confront the future with the necessary flexibility and technological edge, they could emerge as some of the most essential assets in 21st century militaries. As NIMR celebrates its 20th anniversary, we look forward to the next two decades in which we will be pushing the boundaries of these new and exciting frontiers.
AFVs, as they did in the 70s, are set to prove the naysayers wrong. These vehicles of the future will be indispensable for all countries and militaries that consider national security a top priority.
Abri du Plessis is the CEO of NIMR, a UAE-based manufacturer of military vehicles.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Premier League results
Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1
Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0
Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3
Manchester United 3 Southampton 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0
West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0
Sunday
Watford 2 Leicester City 1
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Everton 0 Liverpool 0
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
RESULTS
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019
Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital
Top pick: National Commercial Bank
Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects
Analyst: Shabbir Malik of EFG-Hermes
Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank
Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates
Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank
Top pick: Arab National Bank
Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends
57%20Seconds
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Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
more from Janine di Giovanni
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
