Abu Dhabi – The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) kicked off on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with a military parade and a show of domestic and international weapon systems. Arms deals of $1.2 billion were struck on the first day of the bi-annual expo.
Held under the patronage of President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, IDEX was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, where 1,235 companies with 125 local companies showed the latest defence hardware they can offer. Besides, 99 naval defence companies are participating in the NAVDEX maritime event co-located with IDEX.
The opening ceremony included a live military show followed by a scenario of military showcase. Staff Major General Pilot Faris al-Mazrouei, the chairman of the higher committee organizing IDEX and Navdex expressed his pleasure over the large participation at the two expos. He also stated that the participation of local companies has increased by 17% since the last event.
Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed al-Shamsi, official spokesperson IDEX announced that 21 deals worth more than $1.2 billion have been signed at IDEX.
He said that the volume of transactions on the first day of the exhibition reflects the leading stature of the exhibition.
IDEX is now considered one of the very largest defence exhibitions in the world, with a total of 1,235 companies taking part this year.
“The demand from national and international defence players demonstrates their keenness to partake in the exhibition and use its unique platform to showcase their latest defence technologies and innovations. IDEX offers stakeholders and experts the opportunities to identify new players in the market and seize world-class defence, security and civil technologies,” added Shamsi.
Shamsi said that 15 of the deals were with national companies and the remaining 6 with international companies.
During the press conference, Shamsi announced the contracts signed during the first day.
International Golden Group (IGG) signed a contract to buy AED 394,323,197 worth of ammunition for ground troops.
Naval Advanced Solutions (NAS) and the UAE Navy singed a deal worth AED 13, 689,175 for the development of their marine meteorological system.
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) signed a contract worth AED 100,401,795 for the supply and installation of electronic communications systems and exchange of information for the UAE Navy.
The British company, HESCO Group, has been contracted for the purchase of a number of defensive walls (fortifications) worth AED 91, 426,185.66.
The French company, THALES UNDERWATER SYSTEM SAS, signed a deal to buy AED 85,238,000 worth of sonars and with Tawazun Operation to buy armor mechanisms amounting to AED 2,428,657,820.05.
The UAE Armed Forces signed a contract with the Finnish company, Patria Land Systems worth AED 225,420,000.
Furthermore, contracting North Star Aviation to provide technical and logistical support to BELL 407 helicopters, valued at AED 15 million.
In addition, a contract was signed with Star Satellite Telecom to buy replacement satellite telecommunication parts worth AED 30,344,783.34.
Moreover, the deals included a contract with Emirates Defense Technology to provide technical assistance (maintenance and supply of spare parts for machinery) worth AED 30 million.
Also, the deals included the signing of an AED 181,340,020 contract with Caracal Light Ammunition (CLA) to buy ammunition and supply guns to the Armed Forces.
Tuff Global was contracted for the purchase of assorted ammunition for the Armed Forces, valued at AED 147,355,075.
Al-Jaber Company signed for the purchase and supply of rocket launchers worth of AED 6,650,000, in addition to an AED343, 797,390 contract with MBDA to buy ammunition for the navy.
Watts Defence Optics & Hall signed contract of AED 40,770,040 to supply monitoring equipment for ground forces.
GAL Air Traffic Control signed a deal worth AED 50 million to provide technical and specialist support in the main maintenance center for the Air Force.
Moreover, Royal Jet signed a contract for the management, operation, training and localization of International Movements Operations Centre (IMOC) amounting to AED 80 million.
In addition, Abu Dhabi Drilling signed a contract to provide maintenance and services for the Navy, valued at AED 17,306,100.
Emirates Defense Technology signed to provide technical assistance (maintenance and supply of spare parts for machinery) worth AED 30 million.
Furthermore, Caracal Light Ammunition (CLA) signed a deal of AED 181,340,020 worth to buy ammunition and supply guns to the Armed Forces.
Tuff Global was contracted for the purchase of assorted ammunition for the Armed Forces, valued at AED 147,355,075.
The Austrian company, Rosenbauer International AG, was contracted to buy extinguishing mechanisms valued at AED 36,500,000. While Beltech Export from Belarus was assigned to supply spare parts, repair services and technical assistance for armoured vehicles BMP-3 for a AED 52,800,000 contract.