The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reconsidering its substantial $930 million contract with French firms for the delivery of two military imaging satellites. This strategic move comes in light of alarming discoveries regarding US-produced components embedded within the systems.
The situation escalated when UAE authorities reported the identification of potential backdoors in these components, raising severe cybersecurity concerns. This was extensively covered by Defense News.
This contract, finalized in July 2013, encompasses the provision of a ground station along with Pleiades-type satellites, commonly referred to as Falcon Eye, which were scheduled for delivery in 2018. The involvement of prominent manufacturers Airbus Defense and Space and Thales Alenia Space has added layers of complexity to the situation.
According to high-level sources within the UAE, the implications of these findings could jeopardize the entire agreement. UAE officials expressed that unresolved issues pertaining to potential vulnerabilities might compromise critically sensitive data transmitted to the ground station.
Reports suggest that the information regarding the suspected backdoors has reached Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, deputy supreme commander of the UAE’s armed forces. The contract is expected to not only provide two high-resolution observation satellites but also operational support and training for 20 engineers from France.
In light of these developments, UAE representatives are exploring alternative partnerships, with Russian industries emerging as potential suppliers. A French defense expert noted the historical reliance of the UAE on Russian technology, particularly referencing the GLONASS space-based navigation system integrated as a redundancy feature in other Western systems.
Interestingly, while some cybersecurity experts speculate that the French defense sector may have drawn on US technology due to the complexity of the satellites’ payloads, others question why France would utilize US components for such critical national assets. The Falcon Eye program, which encompasses the Pleiades spy satellites, is considered a vital aspect of France’s sovereignty.
The Defense News outlet posited that the UAE’s claims might be strategically timed to leverage negotiations for a separate contract involving Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets. This unfolding narrative underscores the complex interplay between international defense contracts and cybersecurity concerns, where questions about backdoor vulnerabilities can drive significant shifts in geopolitics and defense partnerships.