The fourth day (24 February) of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2021 has seen the UAE Armed Forces sign 24 new deals, worth AED 2.140 billion (US$ 586 million), with local and international companies. The cumulative value of deals signed at IDEX and NAVDEX is now AED 20.053 billion (US$ 5.49 billion).

Staff Brigadier-General Mohammed Al Hassani, Official Spokesperson of the IDEX and NAVDEX exhibitions, said, “The total amount of deals with UAE companies amounted to AED1.42 billion, which accounts for 66% of the total deal value, while the total amount of deals with international companies amounted to AED720 million, or 34 % of the total deal value (1 US$ = 3.65 AED)

“18 contracts were awarded to UAE companies, while six deals were agreed with international companies,” he added.

The deals were announced during a press conference held Wednesday in the presence of Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli and Lieutenant-Colonel Sarah Al Hajri, spokespersons for IDEX and NAVDEX 2021.

Fahed Nasser Al Thehli commented: “Deals have been put in place with Nexter Systems, providing spare parts for Leclerc tanks for the General Maintenance Corps, at a value of AED 92,947,500. Agreements have been finalised with Norconsult Telematics Ltd., providing advisory services for a value of AED 35,525,256.

“Contracts have been agreed with Adil Textiles Private Limited, purchasing camouflage netting for the Armed Forces, at a value of AED 92,625,824. The UAE Armed Forces have finalised arrangements with NorthStar Aviation LLC, purchasing the Bell 407 Multi-role Helicopter for the Joint Aviation Command at a value of AED 224,053,000.

“We have cemented a deal with Junghans T2M SAS, purchasing an FBM21 fuses for the Air Defence Command, at a value of AED 90,564,826. Contracts have been renewed with Digital Globe Inc. for the provision of satellite photography, as well as maintaining reception systems and training equipment at the Space Reconnaissance Center, for a value of AED 184,369,908.”

Sarah Al Hajri, further commented, “Deals have been agreed with MP3 International Trading Agencies LLC, purchasing ammunition for the Land Forces, at a value of AED 41,000,000. We have cemented contracts with Barij Munitions, purchasing MK-82 and MK-81 bombs for the Air Force, at a value of AED 94,868,000.

“Further deals have been implemented with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments LLC, purchasing drone systems, launch pads, and ground control units for the Presidential Guard Command, at a value of AED 55,128,014. Agreements have been implemented with International Golden Group (IGG), purchasing weaponry and munitions for AED 485,000,000.

“Contracts have been signed with AMMROC, purchasing ADTE devices to develop Mirage aircraft for the Air Force, at a value of AED 117,816,761. Deals have been finalised with Lima Aviation LLC, providing Black Hawk craft with firefighting systems, at a value of AED 52,760,485.

“Further contracts have been signed with Al Fattan for the value of AED 22,000,000. Contracts have been finalised with Royal Jet, managing and operating the International Movements Operations Centre for the Air Force at a value of AED 110,000,000. Deals have been finalised with Al Jasoor, supplying technical support and repair for the General Maintenance Corps at a value of AED 30,000,000.

“Agreements have been signed with Trust International Group LLC, purchasing weaponry for the Land Forces at a value of AED 137,129,360. Further deals have been agreed with Emirates General Transport and Services EST, providing technical support for armed forces vehicles, at a value of AED 56,000,000.

“Agreements were implemented with Al Tuff International Company purchasing a range of ammunition at a value of AED 136,669,029. Deals have been finalised with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK LLC, providing maintenance for underwater craft, at a value of AED 8,500,000.

“Agreements have been put in place with Emirates Advanced Research & Technology Holding, providing technical support at a value of AED 3,000,000. Contracts have been agreed with Key Information Technology, purchasing and installing secure network information equipment for the Air Force, at a value of AED 8,040,500.

“There have been further agreements with MBDA UAE Limited, providing technical support for the Air Force at a value of AED 26,445,000. Further arrangements have been made with Al Badie Trading Establishment, providing technical support for the General Maintenance Corps for a value of AED 15,000,000. Deals have been finalised for the Al Taif Technical Services Company, providing maintenance for cooling devises and power generators in air defence systems for the Air Defence Command, at a value of AED 21,000,000,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, the third day of IDEX and NAVDEX has seen the UAE Armed Forces sign 12 new deals, worth AED 5.589 billion (US$ 1.53 billion), with local and international companies.

Staff Brigadier-General Mohammed Al Hassani said: “The total amount of deals signed with international parties amounted to AED 1.164 billion, which is 21% of the total deal value for the day, and AED 4.425 billion of deals were agreed with UAE companies, which is 79% of Tuesday’s total deal value.”

“Six contracts were awarded to international companies, and six agreements have been implemented with UAE based companies. 12 deals were signed in total,” His Excellency added.

The deals were announced during a press conference in the presence of Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli and Lieutenant-Colonel Staff Maya Rashid Almazrouei, spokespersons for IDEX and NAVDEX 2021.

Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli: “Significant deals with UAE companies today include the contract which was put in place with Yas Holding LCC, purchasing Korean CHUNMOO launchers and missiles, at a value of AED 2,955,292,542. Further deals have included agreements with Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company, providing technical support services for naval vessels and ships, at a value of AED 650,000,000.

“In addition, we have signed deals with Vallo Equipment Spare Parts Trading, providing technical support and supplying spare parts for the General Maintenance Corps, with a value of AED 60,000,000. We have hired Unilux Heavy Equipment Spare Parts, providing technical support for the General Maintenance Corps, for a value of AED 30,000,000.

“Further, contracts have been agreed with Abu Dhabi Aviation Company, providing the operation and management of search and rescue aircraft for the Joint Aviation Command for AED 173,500,000. Deals have also been concluded with Etimad Strategic Security Solutions LCC, providing technical support for security systems, at a value of AED 556,271,790.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Staff Maya Rashid Almazrouei commented: “Prominent international deals have included contracts have been put in place with Harris International Inc., implementing automated command and control projects, at a value of AED 651,519,997, alongside a renewed agreement with Eletronica S.P.A, providing technical support for reconnaissance for the Air Defence Command, for a value of AED 289,394,300.

“We have also signed agreements with The Boeing Company, providing maintenance on C-17 simulators for the Air Defence Command, at a value of AED 112,966,788. We have hired ‘Thales Las France SAS, purchasing spare parts for radar systems for the Air Defence Command, at a total value of AED 66,432,037.”

“Contracts have also been implemented for Rheinmetall Man Military Vehicles, providing maintenance and technical consultation at a value of AED 40,700,000. Additional agreements have been put in place with ‘State Company Ukrobornservice, providing training in the realm of cyberspace, for AED 2,938,400.”

Earlier, on the second day of IDEX and NAVDEX, the UAE Armed Forces signed 11 deals, worth AED 7.29 billion (US$ 1.99 billion), with local and international companies on the second day of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2021.

Staff Brigadier-General Al Hassani said: “The total amount of deals signed with international parties amounted to AED 6.98 billion, which is 95% of the total value of deals. Meanwhile, the value of deals signed with UAE companies reached AED 310 million, or 5% of the total value of deals.”

“Nine contracts were awarded to foreign companies, and 2 contracts were awarded to companies based in the UAE,” he added.

Lastly, on the first day of IDEX and NAVDEX, the UAE Armed Forces awarded contracts worth Dh5.03 billion (US$1.37 billion).

The Armed Forces, which signed a total of 19 contracts, signed seven deals worth Dh1.1bn with international companies, while local companies won contracts worth Dh3.9bn, Al Hassani noted.

Among the local companies that won contracts was Calidus, which clinched deals valued at Dh1.69bn. Military vehicle manufacturer NIMR was awarded a Dh230 million deal and Ammroc secured a Dh176 million contract.

Other UAE-based companies that secured deals included International Golden Group and the Al Masaood company.

US-based Insitu, a Boeing company, won a contract worth Dh405 million for the supply of unmanned vehicles. German defence company Rheinmetall won a Dh57.42 million deal and France’s Thales clinched a Dh350.6 million contract.