UAE signs defence deals worth Dhs1.62bn on first two days of Umex and Simtex 2022

The UAE’s Ministry of Defence has signed deals worth Dhs1.62bn on the first two days of the ongoing Umex and SimTex 2022 exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

It marked an increase of 159 per cent compared to the deals signed on the first two days of the exhibition last year.

The Ministry signed three new deals with an overall value of over Dhs966.25m February 22, the second day of this year’s exhibition.

Highlights from the second day of #UMEX and #SIMTEX held at #ADNEC until 23 February pic.twitter.com/8g7v9hDtFQ

— UMEX | SIMTEX (@UMEX_SIMTEX) February 22, 2022

The overall value of deals signed by the Ministry of Defence with local companies participating in Umex and Simtex 2022 on the second day amounted to approximately Dhs874.174m, while contracts with foreign companies reached Dhs92.077m.

The second day’s deals include one valued at over Dhs874.174m with International Golden Group for purchasing a drone system, and a Dhs46.643m contract with the American Anduril Industries company for finishing trials related to an anti-drone system. It also included a deal valued at around Dhs43.434m with France’s MBDA company for purchasing thermal flares.

This year’s edition hosts companies from over 26 countries including the US General Atomics company for aviation systems, the US L3 Harris Technologies, the US Insitu company, France’s NExter Systems, Ukraine’s Ukroboronprom, Italy’s Fincantieri, and China’s ALIT.

The fifth edition of the unmanned systems, innovations and technologies which will conclude on February 23 and is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre features 15 live shows in the Tilal Swaihan area, showcasing grounded and aerial unmanned systems, AI and robotics technologies. A total of 22 advanced technologies and innovations are being unveiled at the shows.

UAE-based Edge Group meanwhile unveiled Scorpio-B, the newest member of its series of unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) on the first day of Umex.

Read: UAE’s Edge Group introduces new AI-assisted unmanned ground vehicle

The UGV can be equipped with remote weapon systems, twin 40mm grenade launchers, pan-tilt-zoom cameras and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors with the possibility to mount various payloads of up to 200kg.