French self-propelled Caesar howitzers in Prabade, Lithuania. Sunniva Rose / The National
French self-propelled Caesar howitzers in Prabade, Lithuania. Sunniva Rose / The National
French self-propelled Caesar howitzers in Prabade, Lithuania. Sunniva Rose / The National
French self-propelled Caesar howitzers in Prabade, Lithuania. Sunniva Rose / The National

Western armies conduct live exercises in Lithuania as they train for war


Sunniva Rose
  • English
  • Arabic

On a hot, sunny day in a densely wooded area of eastern Lithuania, Maj Mantas Ragulis points with a wooden stick at a map drawn on the sandy ground.

Dozens of US, French and Lithuanian soldiers and diplomats watch him as he describes how self-propelled howitzers from the three countries are going to converge.

Right after a two-day Nato summit in the capital Vilnius, the tight choreography is part of a week-long military exercise to demonstrate the three countries’ military prowess and interoperability.

“This is the forest,” said Maj Ragulis, pointing at pieces of coloured paper on the map.

“Our two battalions have stopped the enemy, and its defence position is two kilometres away from here.”

Maj Ragulis, his face covered with green and brown paint, checks his watch.

At exactly 5pm, bangs pierce the air, followed by a cloud of dust in the distance.

Four French Caesar cannons fire first, followed by US M109 Paladins and Lithuania’s Panzerhaubitze 2000s. For the last round, they all fire together at the same target. There is a smattering of applause.

Gen Francois Goguenheim, who leads France’s ground forces in continental Europe, drops his binoculars as he turns to French ambassador to Lithuania Alix Everard.

“For maximum impact, all cannons need to arrive at the same time,” he said.

“We can also fire one cannon above a 45-degree angle and another below that angle. One system can fire two canons that land at the same time. It’s all about the maths.”

For Lithuania’s chief of defence Valdemaras Rupsys, the exercise enabled his soldiers to become acquainted with new equipment and procedures.

‘We are strong and our enemy knows it,’ he said.

Maj Mantas Ragulis, commander of the artillery battalion of the Lithuanian army, oversees a joint military exercise with France and the US in Prabade Lithuania. Sunniva Rose / The National
Maj Mantas Ragulis, commander of the artillery battalion of the Lithuanian army, oversees a joint military exercise with France and the US in Prabade Lithuania. Sunniva Rose / The National

'On the front line'

Projecting strength is part of Nato’s strategy called deterrence, the equivalent of preparing for war to avoid one.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year triggered fears that Moscow might attack other Eastern European countries.

Nato has strengthened its military presence in the region by establishing multinational battlegroups in eight countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

“The objective is to prevent your adversary from undertaking an action that they otherwise might contemplate,” said Rafael Loss, co-ordinator of pan-European data projects at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

Economic deterrence – warnings of sanctions issued by French and German leaders – failed to stop Russia from invading Ukraine last year.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin has not attacked a Nato country.

“Nato is more serious at any point since the 1990s about a combat ready military defence and deterrence posture,” said Mr Loss.

One reason Baltic countries, which are all Nato members, have been chosen to project deterrence is their perceived vulnerability to a Russian attack.

Local politicians have recently expressed fears of infiltration of Wagner mercenaries through Belarus after a failed mutiny against Moscow.

Nato wants to be ready before Russia is ready
Rafael,
co-ordinator of pan-European data projects at the European Council on Foreign Relations

The border with Belarus is nine kilometres from Pabrade military base, where the joint exercise took place on Thursday.

The Russian enclave of Kaliningrad lies 300 km east of Pabrade.

“We are on the front line,” said Ms Everard, standing by one of the Caesar cannons minutes after it fired.

“It’s very important to be present and on the ground.”

Lithuania’s army recently bought 18 French Caesar howitzers for delivery at the latest in 2027.

“It helps when our minister of defence saw the Caesars working in Ukraine. They are very successful,” Maj Ragulis told The National.

He expected Lithuanian soldiers to learn how to operate the gun in France in a matter of months.

Their deployment on the battlefield in Ukraine has, it appears, irked Mr Putin.

He said on Thursday that foreign-made tanks would be a “priority target”.

The Caesar, with its 40km range and ability to move from its shooting position in less than two minutes to avoid enemy fire, was described by Gen Gogenheim as “one of the best pieces of artillery in its domain”.

Its purchase is part of the Lithuanian army’s objective to rapidly modernise, particularly since Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea.

Lithuania, a country of 2.8 million people, is in parallel expanding its infrastructure to host more foreign troops.

Germany is expected to garrison a brigade of 4,000 in Lithuania on a permanent basis. So far, western troops are deployed for six months at a time.

At a summit in Madrid last year, Nato announced an increase of the number of troops on high alert from 40,000 to 300,000.

Exactly how many are ready to be deployed in a matter of hours is classified information.

But “public knowledge is that we’re not there yet,” said Mr Loss.

The soldiers say they are prepared.

“The only thing we can do is train, train, train to get better and better,” said Norwegian Maj Baard Thodese.

He is the commander of a Norwegian force of 150 men in Lithuania under the leadership of a multinational German-led battalion in Rukla, 200 km east of Pabrade.

The battlegroup comprises 1,400 soldiers who are also from the Netherlands, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Luxembourg.

‘That’s the only thing we can do to be as ready as we can,’ he told The National.

Roads between Pabrade and Rukla are packed with military vehicle. There is a peak in traffic when around redeployment time.

The Norwegian contingent is leaving at the end of the month and is busy packing, counting and cleaning their equipment, including disinfecting their infantry fighting vehicles before they are shipped back to Norway.

The overall experience for his soldiers has been one of experience sharing and camaraderie, they said.

‘It was really fun to work for a few nights with some Dutch guys, to see how they work and compare it with how we work, and put it all together to work as one team,” said Magnus, who is 24.

“We’ll miss this place,” said his colleague Frederik, 20.

Norwegian soldiers pose for a picture as they do maintenance on infantry fighting vehicles deployed by the Norwegian army to Lithuania, in Rukla military base, Lithuania. Sunniva Rose / The National
Norwegian soldiers pose for a picture as they do maintenance on infantry fighting vehicles deployed by the Norwegian army to Lithuania, in Rukla military base, Lithuania. Sunniva Rose / The National

Aligning expectations

Military exercises are also an opportunity for the hundreds of soldiers from western nations in Lithuania to learn from each other.

Although they all follow Nato guidelines, they also have their own preferences when it comes to vehicles they operate and different standards that guide, for example, the width of their train tracks.

“They might understand things differently or have different expectations about how each of them approaches operational problems,” said Mr Loss.

“So aligning these expectations is part of exercising.”

French Lt Col Thomas Miailhes said he became aware of this when he oversaw the transport of the four Caesar howitzers from France to Estonia and then Lithuania by train.

“Even though you might know these details on paper, it’s different when you have to implement them in real life,” he said.

“Behind the cannon, there’s more vehicles with shells, material, and soldiers to think about too,” said Lt Col Miailhes.

Such realisations is part of how allies strengthen their interoperability and readiness – both key Nato goals.

“This kind of exchange, training and exercise with partners is what allows us to be ready,” said Lt Col Miailhes.

He is the deputy commander of Brig Giles Harris, who heads the UK-led multinational force deployed in Estonia as part of Nato’s enhanced Baltic presence.

The four howitzers were sent for close to three months at Estonia’s Tapa army base, which lies 250 km West of Russia’s second-largest city, St Petersburg.

For Norwegian troops in Rukla, lessons learnt include evaluating strengths and weaknesses.

A key strength is the lightness and mobility of Norway's reconnaissance company, which includes dozens – their exact number remains confidential – of six-wheeler all-terrain vehicles covered with green camouflage nets.

Other nations favour heavier cars, said the company’s Executive Officer Ludwig Blaustad.

‘This is something that is unique to the Norwegian reconnaissance company in the multinational battlegroup,’ according to XO Blaustad.

Lithuania also has a flatter terrain than Norway, meaning Norwegian soldiers have to operate in a more compact way than they are used to.

“We can’t stretch our units as much,” said XO Blaustad.

On the ground, affinities develop between soldiers from different countries. Norwegian soldiers in Rukla worked with Belgian intelligence officer Lt Lars Weyne.

“Each country has its interpretation to some degree of the Nato standard doctrine,” said Lt Weyne.

“For some countries, it’s harder to adapt. Norway, Belgium and also the Netherlands for example are really into the Nato doctrine, so it’s easier for us to integrate together, and harder with others.

“But we still get there – it just takes a little longer.”

Baard Thodesen, Maj Commander of the Norwegian contingent in Lithuania as part of a German led multinational battalion in Lithuania, Rukla base. Sunniva Rose / The National
Baard Thodesen, Maj Commander of the Norwegian contingent in Lithuania as part of a German led multinational battalion in Lithuania, Rukla base. Sunniva Rose / The National

Similar experiences are replicated all along the eastern flank where Nato is deployed, from Poland to Romania.

They play a part in the recent cultural shift in Europe towards accepting that war with Russia is an increasing possibility.

In 2015, German soldiers took part in a Nato military exercise using broomsticks to hide the lack of heavy machine guns.

The return of large-scale combat on the European continent was viewed at the time as “completely unrealistic”, said Mr Loss.

Germany’s widely criticised defence minister at the time, EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, may possibly replace Nato’s long-serving Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg next year.

At the Vilnius summit, Nato decided that its two per cent of GDP spending on defence target would become a floor, not a ceiling as it had been decided in 2014.

Only 11 countries reach or exceed that figure. At 1.57 per cent according to the alliance, Germany remains under the spending target. Lithuania is at 2.54 per cent.

There is still a lot of work to be done.

Germany uses easy-to-intercept analogue communications systems instead of digital ones.

A large part of the $100 billion fund announced last year by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is toward upgrading communications equipment.

In parallel, Russia is also investing in military equipment.

It spent 2 trillion roubles, or $26 billion, on defence in January and February alone, a 282 per cent jump on the same period a year ago

“Some intelligence officers say that Russia only needs three to five years to get back to full strength after the war in Ukraine stops,” said Mr Loss.

“Nato wants to be ready before Russia is ready.”

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

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What is a robo-adviser?

Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.

These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.

Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.

Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.

The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 400hp

Torque: 500Nm

Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)

On sale: 2022 

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR

US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.

KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.

 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

Fixtures:

Wed Aug 29 – Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30 - UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1 - UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2 – Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4 - Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6 – Final

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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule

August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland

Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE

December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman

February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG

June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland

September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

Race card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

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THE BIO

Age: 30

Favourite book: The Power of Habit

Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"

Favourite exercise: The snatch

Favourite colour: Blue

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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting

-      Don’t do it more than once in three days

-      Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

-      Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

-      Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

-      Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

-      Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

-      Manage your sleep

-      People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

-      Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

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The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000

Engine 3.5L V6

Transmission 10-speed automatic

Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km

About Krews

Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: January 2019

Number of employees: 10

Sector: Technology/Social media 

Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support

 

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

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Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro
Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 325bhp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh359,000

On sale: now 

Updated: July 26, 2023, 1:11 PM