Abu Dhabi: The UAE Armed Forces on Wednesday inked 17 defence deals valued at Dh4 billion during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2013) with an intention to by 1000 Nimr vehicles, said Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, Idex 2013 official spokesperson.
“Our local companies have reached advanced levels through their joint ventures with other international companies and these companies have become a milestone in military industries,” said Al Ketbi.
In reply to a question about the purchases and deals of the UAE Armed Forces to purchase defence weapons for external threats, Al Ketbi said, “We have a clear plan and we purchase what is suitable for our future needs.”
He explained that there are other contracts outside the Idex, to meet the UAE Armed Forces requirements.
He elaborated on the issue of equipment to counter any terrorist or internal stability in the country similar to those in neighbouring countries in the region, Al Ketbi pointed out. “UAE Armed Forces purchases what is suitable for it and other deals would be inked and announced in due time,” he stressed.
The biggest deal was Dh1.1 billion with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) to manage and operate facilities as well as provide fuel for aircraft and vehicles of the UAE Armed Forces, while the second biggest was Dh550 million awarded to Global Medical Solutions to train medical crew and the third was valued at Dh516.8 million with Al Shamil for training military staff, Al Ketbi said.
He pointed out that the UAE Armed Forces signed a Dh390 million deal with Hydra for providing technical support for Locklerk Tank and BMP-3, Hummer, Tatra, 109 Mortar and G6 Mortars. The other deal was Dh181.1 million with Provincial Aerospace Limited (PAL), a Canadian company, which will supply satellite communication systems.
The Armed Forces also awarded a Dh330.6 million contract to International Golden Group (IGG) to purchase various military equipment. It signed a Dh34 million deal with Al Badie Group to buy spare parts for tank transportation vehicles. The other deal was worth Dh134.4 million with Lockheed Martin Overseas to purchase ground support equipment. It signed a Dh128.6 million deal with Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company to purchase and install satellite communication devices on Baynuna Ships.
The other deal was Dh16 million with Pyrosafe Technologies Trading for spare parts and various naval equipment. The other deal was Dh28 million with WASS, an Italian company, to purchase anti-torpedoes survival effectors.
The other deal was Dh143 million with AMMROC to overhaul Panther Helicopters. A deal worth Dh210.8 million was also signed with IGG to purchase shell charges. The other deal was Dh40 million with Geoeye Solutions for services for satellite imageries.
The major general pointed out that the UAE Armed Forces signed a Dh16 million deal with Al Fattan Ship Building to buy Hitrol N Naval Guns. Another deal worth Dh132.3 million was signed with Caracal to purchase various types of rifles and ammunition. The final deal was Dh49.7 million with Fidelity Technologies Corporation, an American company, to purchase fighting simulators.
Al Ketbi concluded saying that on the third day, the UAE Armed Forces had signed a deal to buy 800 Nimr Vehicles and there is an intention to purchase 1000 more to make the total number 1800.
