UAE Armed Forces sign over Dhs5bn deals on day one of Abu Dhabi defence exhibition

The UAE Armed Forces signed 19 deals, cumulatively worth Dhs5.03bn, with local and international companies on day one of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2021.

The two exhibitions commenced in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, February 21, and will continue until Thursday, February 25.

“The total amount of deals signed with international parties amounted to Dhs1.091bn, which is 22 per cent of the total value of deals. Meanwhile, the value of deals signed with UAE companies reached Dhs3.939bn, or 78 percent of the total value of deals,” said Staff Brigadier-General Mohammed Al Hassani, official spokesperson of the IDEX and NAVDEX.

Of these, seven contracts were awarded to foreign companies, and 12 were awarded to companies based in the UAE, reported state news agency WAM.

Among the Emirati companies, contracts were agreed between the UAE Armed Forces and Calidus Aerospace, purchasing the Calidus B-250 aircraft, at a value of Dhs1.69bn. Agreements were also inked with NIMR Automotive to purchase NIMR vehicles worth Dhs230.4m.

“The UAE Armed Forces have further finalised deals with the Abu Dhabi based company, the International Golden Group, purchasing ammunition and weapons for the armed forces at a value of Dhs689m,” confirmed Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli, official spokesperson for NAVDEX.

Deals were also agreed with Al Masaood, providing spare parts and maintenance for a Leclerc tank and spare parts for Oshkosh Defence vehicles, valued at Dhs250m.

GAL, part of the EDGE Group, agreed a deal with the UAE Armed Forces to provide technical support for the air navigation systems of the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command, at a value of Dhs410m. Contracts were also finalised with Bin Hilal Enterprises, supplying spare parts, repair, and technical support for the General Maintenance Corp, with a value of Dhs45m.

The other deals included a Dhs35.4m agreement signed with Al Fattan Marine Services to buy coastal patrol boats, helping enable vital installations and coastal protection. Also, another contract was signed with Etihad Ship Building, providing technical support alongside spare parts for boats and naval vessels at a value of Dhs60m.

The UAE Armed Forces have also signed deals with AMMROC, another subsidiary of EDGE Group, to review the efficiency and ensure the combat readiness of aircraft of the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command, with the total value of Dhs175m. Wolf Sbane WholeSale of Military Equipment Trading also signed deals to install chemical, radiation detection, and early warning devices for the Chemical Defence Command. In addition, a contract was signed with Maximus Air, to charter air freight services for the Armed Forces, worth Dhs293m.

Lieutenant-Colonel Staff Maya Rashid Almazrouei, spokesperson for IDEX and NAVDEX added, the international agreements reached with the UAE Armed Forces included a deal with the German company, RheinMettal Defence Electronics, to develop technology for ground forces’ engagement, with a value of Dhs57m, while a contract was also agreed with Insitu to purchase integrator drones systems, with a value of Dhs405m.

Another deal was signed with the Serbian company, Yugoimport, to provide shells and artillery for land engagement, with a value of Dhs74m. Contracts were also agreed with Tecnobit to provide artillery simulators for land units, and a contract has been confirmed with the French company Thales SIX to develop the GATR-T Communication System for the UAE Air Defence Forces, in a deal worth Dhs350m.

Also, another agreement struck with with Denel SOC, trading as Denel Dynamics, to provide an unmanned drone system, Seeker 400 UAE, to the Presidential Guard Command was valued at Dhs50m. Contracts were also signed with the French company, Ouvry SAS, to purchase preventative missions for chemical defence, at a value of Dhs101m.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited several national and international pavilions at IDEX on Monday. During his visit, he was introduced to the representatives of participating countries and senior officials from the event’s exhibitors, and was also briefed about their key products and innovations in the field of smart defence technologies.