From afar it bears a striking resemblance to the heavy weaponry used by Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
But a closer look reveals the “M1 Abrams US tank” is substantially more replica than real.
The inflatable decoy is one of a range of fake heavy arms produced by Czech company Inflatech to help Ukraine’s forces confuse the enemy.
They have not said whether there are any of the fake tanks in Ukraine.
While Inflatech chief executive Vojtech Fresser will not directly comment on support for Ukraine, he said: “I can imagine that if we want to support a partner country which is in trouble, we would send them inflatable decoys. Or it already has them, and if not, it will have them, for sure.”
The company, based in the northern Czech city of Decin, was founded eight years ago and makes more than 30 types of inflatable dummy weapons.
They include a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, also known as HIMARS, a multiple rocket launcher developed in the late 1990s for the US Army — heavy weapons are among the billions of dollars in Western military aid that has been donated to Ukraine to help it repel the Russian invasion in the past year.
Ukraine recently accused Russia of using the same tactic, deploying rubber inflatable tanks in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The method has been around since First World War, when Allied forces would use dummy versions of British heavy tanks made out of wood and covered by painted cloth.
“At the time when our partners are coordinating the supply of tanks to Ukraine, the invading army is also increasing the presence of 'tank units' in the Zaporizhzhia area,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote in a social media post, according to Insider.
The post was accompanied by satellite images showing the deflated fake tanks.
“Apparently, the free air of the Cossack region is not suitable for the 'rubber' products of the occupiers, so they deflate without fulfilling their main mission,” said the post.
“Just like the inflated bravado of the Russian army.”
Ukraine has also reportedly used fake wooden rocket launchers to try to trick Russia into wasting expensive long-range missiles on them.
Pretend police vehicles have been used in the US to deter speeding motorists and in the UK a cutout officer exists to keep the peace.
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Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
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Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
Super Saturday race card
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
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Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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World Series
Game 1: Red Sox 8, Dodgers 4
Game 2: Red Sox 4, Dodgers 2
Game 3: Saturday (UAE)
* if needed
Game 4: Sunday
Game 5: Monday
Game 6: Wednesday
Game 7: Thursday
