16 Feb 13. “Innovation, alliances, joint ventures and partnerships” are the key UK themes at IDEX 2013, as it sends a large supporting delegation to Abu Dhabi. Philip Dunne MP, UK Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, is leading the UK delegation. He is being supported by Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton (Chief of Air Staff), Lieutenant General Simon Mayall (Defence Senior Advisor Middle East), Vice Admiral Philip Jones (Royal Navy Fleet Commander), and Richard Paniguian (Head of UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation). Their presence highlights the important strategic Defence relationship between the UK and United Arab Emirates. There will be around one hundred UK companies taking part in this year’s Exhibition, demonstrating a range of world-leading Defence and security technologies. The UK’s particular capability themes include: technology in support of current operations; land and maritime border security; maritime mine detection and countermeasures; and chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear defence. Three ships from the Royal Navy are also at the exhibition; HMS Northumberland, a Type 23 Frigate with a Merlin helicopter on board, and HMS Shoreham and Ramsey, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, which will host senior UAE officials and overseas delegations. The UK pavilion at NAVDEX will host a range of companies demonstrating a breadth of maritime products, services and training.
14 Feb 13. During IDEX, Eurocopter is showcasing more than three decades of experience acquired in the military helicopter sector. Benefiting from its wide diversity of rotary- wing aircraft and their ability to adapt to a broad spectrum of missions, Eurocopter’s product line represents a benchmark – with operational uses ranging from reconnaissance, identification and tracking to deterrence, escort, attack, rescue and survey and troop transportation. The company military capabilities and expertise are displayed at the EADS booth in Hall 8, stand B05 with mock-ups of the NH90 in the naval version, the AS565 Panther and the EC145T2. Currently more than 650 Eurocopter helicopters fly in the Arab world, with more than 80 percent of them for military use. Eurocopter is supporting the region’s armed forces for missions including combat, transport, Search and Rescue (SAR), counter-terrorism, special missions and training. Eurocopter also remains active in providing the best support to its customers, thanks to a maintenance center in the United Arab Emirates with long-standing partner Falcon Aviation Services (FAS). Through an operating agreement that was renewed last month, this center provides full maintenance and revision services, reinforcing the company’s customer support network in the region and supplementing Eurocopter’s platform in Abu Dhabi. In addition, a Eurocopter technical office has been opened in Islamabad for the daily support of its long-standing customers in Pakistan.
11 Feb 13. Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and development company, unveiled details of its participation at IDEX 2013, which takes place 17th- 21st February 2013 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Seven Mubadala group companies operating in the defense sector will showcase their contributions to the UAE Armed Forces. The Mubadala defense-related network delivers technical, training and project management expertise across aviation, maritime, and ground-based platforms. The participating Mubadala group companies comprise: Al Taif Technical Services, Bayanat for Mapping & Surveying Services (Bayanat), Injazat Data Systems, Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Company (AMMROC), Horizon Flight Academy, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and Abu Dhabi Ship Building. With Emiratization at the heart of their development strategies, the companies are committed to creating thousands of jobs for UAE Nationals by 2017. By offering unrivalled training and career opportunities for UAE Nationals,