Abu Dhabi: A number of new deals were announced at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday as the UAE’s Armed Forces put emphasis on modernisation of their equipment and to upgrade facilities.
The deals totalling about Dh2.534 billion were related to aircraft maintenance, unmanned systems, spare parts and sensor systems for the UAE army.
The UAE Armed Forces signed Dh2.3 billion contract with the Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center (Ammroc), an Abu Dhabi-based company to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the Joint Aviation Command of the army.
They also signed a contract worth Dh24 million with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company (Adasi) to provide spare parts for unmanned vehicles.
Other deals announced on Wednesday included Dh18 million contract with Thales Advanced Solutions to purchase spare parts for signalling devices and a Dh192 million deal with ATK, an American company to purchase and install the Hostile Fire Induction aircraft military systems.
The five-day event will come to an end on Thursday. A number of dignitaries had been visiting the exhibition since it began four days ago. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko visited Idex on Tuesday.
Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Idex committee said there is a sort of cooperation between the UAE and Ukraine in defence.
“We have a lot of interest in their products and they do have an interest in our products. There are opportunities for both the countries. We will see more progress in future.”
The Ukrainian President also met His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during his visit.
Media reports said that Ukraine is keen to buy defence weapons from the UAE. The country is involved in a conflict with Russia.
The visit of Ukrainian president follows the visit of the Russian Trade and Industry minister, Denis Manturov, to the UAE a few days ago.
Al Ketbi said defence products manufactured by the UAE companies are competing at the international market. “This indicates the quality of products in the UAE. There is a strong desire on the part of international companies to enter into partnership with local companies and export their products.”
