The UAE has always favoured diplomacy and peaceful approaches in resolving conflicts and disputes with other nations; it advocated international initiatives to encourage other nations to pursue peaceful approaches to resolve their differences, said H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group.

Sheikh Ahmed was speaking at the 8th Dubai International Air Chiefs Conference, DIAC 2017, which hosted its largest-ever edition on Saturday at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. DIAC is one-of-the-largest focussed international gatherings of air force leaders anywhere in the world and this year it aimed to tackle a topic of growing interest transitioning to fifth-generation capabilities.

''The UAE has always maintained a policy of building partnerships with allies and friends to enhance stability and achieve progress and prosperity together. The UAE has always believed that through establishing a strong deterrent based on a modern military it will be able to maintain peace and stability with its neighbours in the region," Sheikh Ahmed said.

The event brought together thought leaders and the most senior decision-makers from air forces and industry partners to address a series of strategic and operational considerations concerning the employment, development, and future of fifth-generation air power.

In his welcome speech, Major General Staff Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, Commander of Air Force and Air Defence, said, "Today, the UAE faces no immediate existential threat along its borders but the Middle East region continues to be plagued with the potential for simultaneous, low, medium and high-intensity conflict. Perhaps in no other region in the world is the discussion of the future of air power more applicable given the many current operations we are fighting today as well as the diverse list of participating coalition assets, from 5th generation F-22s, all the way down to low and slow close air support aircraft.

"The ability for platforms to share information while having a common operating picture from the operational down to the tactical will no doubt aid immeasurably in the integration and synchronisation of a well-connected joint and coalition force," he added.