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360 tanks from France received

ABU DHABI - The UAE Armed Forces has already taken possession of 360 Lecrec tanks of the contracted 400 tanks from Giat Industries of France, under a deal worth $3.5 billion struck in 1993.

Staff Brigadier Obeid Al Kitbi, spokesman for Idex, said at the first official briefing at the Idex 2003 yesterday that the receipt of the tanks meant that 90 per cent of the contract has been carried out, and the rest will be completed over the next 24 months.

Expressing satisfaction over the performance of the tanks, he said certain technical modifications were carried out in collaboration with Giat.

Brig. Kitbi said that the UAE is expected to soon receive the first batch of the US-made F-16 fighter aircraft from Martin Lockheed. The UAE has completed the requisite infrastructure, and is carrying out major upgrading at its airbases to receive the aircraft.

Commenting on certain other contracts, he noted that they were in the final stages of execution. These include the purchase of 70 Nissan refrigerated pick-ups from Al Masaoud at a cost of Dh8 million, the Dh24 million contract with Abu Dhabi Ship Building to modify naval ships and provide technical support for the navy.