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Dh5 billion Idex deals on day 1 in Abu Dhabi

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Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Mohamed visited pavilions of companies and countries, and checked out the latest innovations, hi-tech equipment and technologies.

Published: Sun 21 Feb 2021, 11:38 PM

Updated: Mon 22 Feb 2021, 8:11 AM

The International Defence Exhibition and Conference ((Idex 2021), the first major in-person event to be held in Abu Dhabi amid the global pandemic, kicked-off with a Dh5 billion deal on the opening day on Sunday.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited the 15th edition of Idex held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre following stringent Covid-19 prevention protocols.

Sheikh Mohamed visited pavilions of companies and countries, and checked out the latest innovations, hi-tech equipment and technologies.

Sheikh Mohamed said the defence expo provides a unique opportunity to discover the advanced systems showcased by international companies that currently employ artificial intelligence technologies.

Apart from an action-packed opening ceremony of military demonstrations and aerial manoeuvres, the other highlight of the day was the UAE Armed Forces awarding deals worth Dh5 billion.

Out of the 19 contracts worth Dh5.030 billion, a dozen was secured by local players and rest seven were international firms, an official spokesperson saidtold reporters.

Local firms got a big slice of the deals worth Dh3.939 billion and international companies Dh1.091 billion. Abu Dhabi-based Calidus, a technology development and manufacturing company, won Dh1.697 billion contracts to buy 12 B-250 jets and the International Golden Group bagged Dh689 million deal to purchase ammunition. Meanwhile, US firm Insitu (Dh405 million) and France-based Thales (Dh350 million) were top gainers among international names.

There were a few products launched as countries exhibited their military might to entice potential buyers, all this while the organisers and volunteers kept reminding everyone about wearing masks, maintaining safe distancing and not letting their guards down.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com



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