In pictures: It's all gleaming military hardware at IDEX 2021

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The 15th edition of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) concluded on Thursday, the Higher Organising Committee for the exhibitions announced, wrapping up the five-day events that seen extensive local and international participation. The major success of the 15th edition lies in that it was the first global defence event to take place in the post-pandemic recovery stage, with 62,445 attendees at the venue across five days. Nine hundred exhibitors, 59 countries, and 35 international pavilions participated in IDEX and NAVDEX 2021, alongside five countries participating in the exhibitions for the first time: Israel, North Macedonia, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Azerbaijan. The UAE Armed Forces signed AED20.957 billion (US$5.7 billion) worth of deals during IDEX and NAVDEX 2021. Five contracts with international companies and 15 with local companies were inked on the final day of the exhibitions, at a value of AED904.2 million (US$246.2 million). Image Credit: REUTERS

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Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for IDEX and NAVDEX, said, "The 15th edition of the IDEX and NAVDEX exhibitions has been nothing short of exceptional. These events continue to strengthen their global position, providing exhibitors and participants from around the world with an integrated global platform despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. IDEX and NAVDEX drive and enable innovation, in line with the rapid development of the fourth industrial revolution."The success of these exhibitions has been rooted in the stalwart and visionary support of our wise leadership. Their confidence in our ability to host the world here in Abu Dhabi has been critical to the wider realisation of this edition. Above, Al Fursan, UAE Air Force aerobatic display team, perform during the International Defence Exhibition & Conference, IDEX. Image Credit: WAM

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"Today marks a new chapter in pre-eminence. 2021 is the Golden Jubilee Year of the foundation of the United Arab Emirates. That union has enabled our nation to cultivate and expand our defence infrastructure and technological systems, using them to ensure security and peace across the Middle East,'' Al Mazrouei added. Image Credit: WAM

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EDGE, the UAE's advanced technology group for defence and beyond, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lockheed Martin, the US-based global technology leader, to explore industrial participation opportunities across the UAE's aerospace and defence industry. Above, model planes of Lockheed Martin. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Exhibitors from European countries attending the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2021) have described the exhibition as the strongest defence exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa region, and the largest event held every two years in Abu Dhabi. Above, members of the military sit in a helicopter at the Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A model of a helicopter is displayed at the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) section . Supervised by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the Saudi Pavilion bring together several major Saudi national institutions and companies specialised in the field of military and security industries. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Visitors at the EDGE exhibit pavilion. EDGE, the advanced technology group for defence and beyond, launched its first family of multirotor loitering munitions, the QX range. In addition, Shadow 50 and Shadow 25, Rash 2 gliding munition kit, as well as new variants of the RW24 range – all designed and manufactured in the company’s first year of operations – were unveiled on the first day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2021). Image Credit: REUTERS

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A volunteer holds a social distancing sign. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A man walks past a ship at the Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition. Image Credit: REUTERS

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IDEX visitors practice social distancing. Image Credit: REUTERS

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A member of the maritime forces stands at the Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Al Fursan, UAE Air Force aerobatic display team, perform during the International Defence Exhibition & Conference, IDEX. Image Credit: WAM

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Visitors and officials at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference, IDEX, in Abu Dhabi. Image Credit: AP

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Indian Naval Ship Pralaya participate in the NAVDEX (Naval Defence Exhibition) and IDEX 2021 (International Defence Exhibition). Image Credit: PTI

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In pictures: It's all gleaming military hardware at IDEX 2021

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