UAE’s Ministry of Defence signs Dhs5bn deals on opening day of Dubai Airshow 2021

On the first day of the Dubai Airshow 2021 which began on Sunday, November 14, the UAE’s Ministry of Defence said that it had concluded five deals worth Dhs5.239bn with local and international companies.

Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al Balushi, executive director of the Military Organising Committee of the Dubai Airshow 2021, announced during the press conference that the first deal of the exhibition was contracted with Airbus Defence and Space S.A.U., a Spanish company, to purchase refueling aircraft for the Air Force and Air Defense Command, at a value of Dhs2.468bn.

“The second deal was signed with Progressive Technologies to purchase munitions supplements, including training, for the Air Force and Air Defense, which amounted to Dhs2.672bn,” noted Lt. Col. Pilot Sarah Hamad Al-Hajari, official spokesman for the Dubai Airshow 2021.

She added that another deal signed on first day was signed with the French company, Thales, to purchase communication systems for the Air Force and Air Defense, at a value of Dhs15.93m, while another Dhs16.7m contract was agreed with the same company for maintenance and to purchase spare parts.

The fifth deal on the first day of the exhibition was concluded with the US company, Goodrich Corporation, to provide technical support services and technical assistance and to provide spare parts for aircraft systems at a value of Dhs66.11m.

“It is expected that this edition of Dubai Airshow will be more distinguished than the previous ones, given the number of countries and new exhibitors participating in the exhibition, where more than 1,200 exhibitors from 148 countries around the world are participating,” said Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al Balushi, according to state-run news agency WAM.

Read: Edge group unit wins Dhs11bn contract from UAE Air Force and Air Defence

Additionally on Sunday, UAE-based Edge Group announced its aircraft solutions entity, Gal, has been awarded a Dhs11bn contract to supply the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD) with maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and specialised support services. The QX-5 and QX-6, modern vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones, and Rash 2H, a high-precision guided munition system – all designed and manufactured in the UAE – were unveiled at the event.

Read also: Dubai Airshow 2021 commences with over 370 new exhibitors