General Norton Schwartz, speaking on the sidelines of Dubai International Air Chiefs Conference, said there needed to be a mechanism to share information and to integrate with air forces. He also called for “an effective and integrated air defence”.

He said the US could play a role in helping the GCC states develop defence systems against Iran.

Schwartz would not be drawn on the role and importance of the UAE should the threat of Iran increase.

The country is planning a comprehensive air defence system to guard against threats posed by a nuclear arc in the region, comprising Israel, Iran, Pakistan and India, around the UAE.

The UAE has increased its spending on weaponry to become the third largest arms importer in the world, spending Dh28.63 billion in the last five years, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Schwartz said the defence partners would continue to coordinate and share information about Iran.

He said the US and UAE would continue to develop their partnership and cooperation on matters such as training, with a joint exercise wrapping up in the UAE this week, and expertise.

The air force chief said the UAE’s role as a hub for military forces in the region and base for US forces continued to be vital. Neither Schwartz nor Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, Chief of the Air Staff of the British Royal Air Force, went into detail about each country’s progress on withdrawing from Iraq or Afghanistan.

The British forces and government have come under increasing public pressure as troop deaths are blamed on poor equipment and a lack of capabilities such as helicopter transport. Since 2001, 232 British forces have died in Afghanistan.

Dalton said the force had the “right number to do the right job”, referring to the number of troops deployed. More than 9,000 British military personnel are in the country.

Gordon Brown said last week that Britain will start handing over control of parts of Helmand province within a year, that British media reported was signalling signs of an exit. However, the military currently need to train more Afghans, for the country’s security forces, to take over.

“We have to make the most of what we’ve got,” Dalton said.

“My view of right now is that British forces being deployed in Afghanistan have the very best equipment we can possibly get for them.

“As we see new capabilities being deployed, of course it takes time to specify, check and procure that equipment.”

A UK poll this month found 64 per cent believed the war was unwinnable while 63 per cent want UK troops to withdraw now.

Dalton said more needed to be done to explain the war to the British public and its importance in protecting national security.

zoe@khaleejtimes.com