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Dh4.9b deals signed at Idex

ABU DHABI — The UAE Armed Forces have signed deals worth Dh4.9 billion ($1.334 billion) for repairing and overhauling aircraft, upgrading naval vessels and acquiring ammunition and spares.

Briefing media on the third day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, or Idex 2013, Staff Major General Obaid Al Ketbi said the UAE Armed Forces have signed 21 deals with local and foreign defence contractors to provide different technical services to its army, air force and naval forces.

The biggest deal of the day was won by Al Ain-based Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre, which willprovide routine repairs and maintenance to the aircraft fleet. The deal, he said, is worth Dh1.4 billion.

General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visiting a stall at Idex 2013 being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Tuesday. — Wam

Another local company, Caracal, which is part of the defence manufacturing arm of Abu Dhabi’s Tawazun Holding, will supply ammunition of various calibres amounting to Dh829.8 million.

A deal valued at Dh430.7 million was awarded to US defence contractor Raytheon to procure BU 12 and BU 58 bomb kits. Abu Dhabi’s International Golden Group, on the other hand, will supply different weapons and their accessories, details of which were not disclosed. The deal is worth Dh367 million.

Local shipyard Etihad Ship Building will provide technical services for Al Falaj ships in a contract amounting to Dh176 million. The Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company, which is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, will upgrade Baynounah-class warships in a deal worth Dh265 million.

The UAE Armed Forces have also signed a contract with C-4 Advanced Solutions to purchase simulators and related technical support and training in a deal worth Dh185 million, while Thales Optronics will supply and install Katrina cameras on tank missile launchers for Dh43.5 million. It has also signed a contract with Darwash bin Ahmed & Sons to supply vehicles worth Dh209 million, while the UK’s Rockwell Colin will supply a targeting system called Fire Storm amounting to Dh146.9 million.

A local company will provide camera-type MX10 amounting to Dh45.9 million, while another firm — Adasi — will supply MX10 parashoot air balloon-guided system valued at Dh119.40 million.

In a step that is considered a milestone for the booming defence productions industry, the UAE Armed Forces has shown the intention to purchase 800 Nimr multipurpose military vehicles. The same intention was also expressed to buy 15,000 CAA16-type sniper rifles produced domestically by Caracal. Local defence manufacturer Tawazun Dynamics will provide Al Tariq-type precision guided ammunition. Air Thales Systems will provide and maintenance services for missile systems for Dh37 million, while Indonesian firm PT Ser Rejeki Isman will provide military gear worth Dh9.4 million.

— haseeb@khaleejtimes.com