22 Feb 17. IDEX comes to an end. At least €4.93bin worth of contracts have been signed by officials of the United Arab Emirates to equip their armed forces with modern systems during IDEX. Over 105,000 visitors have been attending and 1,235 companies have been exhibiting. Therefore IDEX has increased all important areas.
Contracts were awarded to national and international companies equally. The local company NIMR was contracted to supply 1,500 JAIS 4×4 vehicles and other types to the UAE Armed Forces. The Russian state-owned agency Rosoboronexport won a contract to supply the UAE with 5,000 anti-armour missiles worth several million Euro, but also the U.S. company Raytheon and the European company MBDA Systems each won a several million Euro contract to deliver missiles.
The shown technologies came from all over the world and every single continent hat companies present. From assault rifles to communication, tanks, vehicles, missiles, fighter jets, robots, helicopters and even cyber defence and cyber security the world moved a little bit closer during the four days in Abu Dhabi, when the major defence companies showed their solutions for fighting off the bad guys. Since the region has not become safer within the last years, the UAE need these systems to keep their country a safe place to live. Next IDEX will take place in Abu Dhabi in February 2019. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
23 Feb 17. Belarus, UAE sign defence industrial co-operation accord. Belarus and the United Arab Emirates signed a defence technology transfer agreement on 21 February at the IDEX 2017 trade show. The military-technical co-operation agreement was signed between representatives of Belarus’ State Military-Industrial Committee and the UAE’s Tawazun Economic Council – the UAE national body responsible for the management of offsets related to defence equipment procurements. Little information regarding the agreement was released by either side. However, the signing of the agreement comes as the UAE announced a contract valued at AED52.8m (USD14.37m) with Belarus’ export agency Beltech Export for spare parts, repair services, and technical assistance for the UAE’s BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle fleet.
Belarusian companies have been exhibiting a number of products and systems at IDEX, including anti-tank guided missiles, armoured vehicles, and unmanned systems. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
23 Feb 17. Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC), the established integrated national defense industries platform, has concluded its 5th day at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2017) in the capital with the UAE Armed Forces announcing major deals, exceeding 1bn AED with EDIC and its companies.
Through its strategic partnership with IDEX 2017, EDIC has emphasized on its leading role in the nation’s defense industry that has highlighted its contribution to the latest developments in defense technology.
EDIC has featured a total of 12 companies in its largest stand in the exhibition, showcasing the latest developments and innovations from the manufacturing, mapping, maintenance, repair and overhaul, communications, logistics, training and technology development sectors.
NIMR Automotive, a defense vehicle manufacturer providing a portfolio of products to address the various needs of armed forces and internal security organizations around the world has agreed to provide the UAE Armed Forces with 4×4 “NIMR” Tanks.
The National Leader in the provision of value-added mapping, geospatial services in GIS solution “Bayanat” has renewed a 5 year contracts with UAE Armed Forces to license software and the production of spatial information.
Horizon Flight Academy that offers flight training for military and civilian customers within the Middle East has signed an agreement with the UAE Armed Forces to train and develop its pilot’s skills.
The UAE Armed Forces has signed an agreement to purchase weaponry from Caracal International the region’s leading original equi