The UAE said Wednesday it plans to buy a dozen Chinese L15 aircraft, making a major shift in its suppliers of weaponry which has been traditionally been reliant on Western arms makers. In December, the UAE threatened to scrap its mega-purchase of US F-35 fighter jets, protesting stringent conditions amid Washington’s concerns over China. The UAE defence ministry said it intended to sign a contract with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) to purchase 12 of the L15 training and light combat aircraft, with the option for 36 additional jets of the same type, the offi…