IDEX 2017: UAE-US sign Dh1.3b ammunition deal

Photo By Ryan Lim

The UAE Armed Forces has signed military procurement deals worth almost Dh19 billion, since the first day of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017, which commenced on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.
The largest deal announced on Wednesday was for almost Dh1.3 billion, with the American company, Raytheon.
Details reveal the deal is for the purchase of ammunition for the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force.
The US company, which has contracts with 80 countries, offers missile defense, command and control, sensors and imaging, cyber protection, electronic warfare, precision weapons, training, as well as mission support. 
Staff Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi, Official Spokesperson of IDEX 2017, said that on Wednesday alone, the UAE awarded 20 deals with national and international companies, worth a whopping Dh3.4 billion.
13 of the deals are with UAE entities, while the seven remaining are with international companies, including France, Italy and the US. The new deals signed on Wednesday brings a total of 82 contracts in just four days.
The largest deal awarded during the week was between the UAE and Russia, for Dh2.6 billion in anti-armor missiles.
The Russian company, Rosoboronexport, which is ranked among the top in the defence market, produces firearms, ammunition, attack helicopters and tanks.
Major General Staff Ishaw Saleh Al Balushi, Deputy Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of IDEX 2017, told Khaleej Times the success of this year's exhibition has well exceeded IDEX 2015. 
"IDEX is growing as an exhibition, we put a forward plan and this year we have more exhibitors and delegations than in the past." 
"We have been committed to more contracts this year," he added. 
Major General Staff Al Balushi pointed out that the exhibition space was sold out, highlighting that 10 more countries have decided to participate in this year's five-day event. 
"Today we see all the positive indicators that reaffirm our objectives have been achieved." 
"By the end of the week we will be achieving and executing all our objectives, mainly related to the contracts, which are exceeding the previous exhibition," he noted. Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli, Official Spokesperson of the fourth edition of the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX 2017), also attended the deal's announcement.
Other large deals made on Wednesday include, over Dh745m with the UAE based company Star Satellite Communications Company, to buy satellite communications terminals; Dh409m with the UAE based company, Caracal International, to purchase weaponry; Dh300m with the UAE based company, Trust, for machinery; Dh140m contract with the UAE based company, Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company, to supply thermal imaging cameras and ground control stations; Dh96m with the American company Satellite Imaging Technologies Gmbh, to rent imaging satellites, and Dh51m with French company Dassault Aviation, to provide technical support for aircrafts of the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force.
 
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com