UAE Awards Dh 4.5-Billion Local And International Contracts On First Day Of IDEX

The UAE has reportedly inked Dh 4.5 billion worth of military deals during the opening of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX).

Tawazun Economic Council Spokesman Zayed Al Meraikhi announced Monday the council had awarded 11 contracts on the first day of the conference, of which five were given to international firms.

Meraikhi said the number of contracts inked with local companies totaled Dh 2.3 billion, while those signed with international companies totaled Dh 2.2 billion, Zawya reported.

The contracts signed with international companies included a Dh 1.5-billion deal with the Indonesian firm PT Pal for the procurement of a multi-mission vessel. This was the biggest foreign pact of the day.

The council also awarded a Dh 421-million contract to Thales LAS of France for the procurement of GM403 radars.

U.S. firm Alliant Techsystems also bagged a Dh 202-million deal to acquire ammunition, while French company MBDA won a Dh 92-million deal for the procurement of technical support services for missiles. German company Rohde & Schwarz also received a Dh 3-million contract to provide technical support for communication systems.

The majority of the deals were awarded to domestic firms, including Edge Group subsidiary Halcon, which won a Dh 2.14-billion deal to procure the Thunder P3 weapons system. The second biggest local deal of the day was with Maplin Marine Systems and Services, which involved the acquisition of ships with technical support services amounting to Dh 78 million.

The Tawazun Economic Council also sealed a Dh 45-million deal with Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Bahar for the provision of technical support on tracked vehicles, as well as a Dh 26-million deal with Atlas Telecom for the procurement of SR Hawk and portable radar. The council also awarded a Dh 4-million contract with Romco International to acquire a mine clearance system and a Dh 8-million contract with Al Hamra Trades to maintain inspection devices and explosive detectors.

The procurement arm of the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Police, the Tawazun Economic Council works closely with the Ministry of Defense to derive economic value from the country's defense procurement program.

Meanwhile, the IDEX is an arms and defense technology sales exhibition in the Middle East. This year's edition is the biggest since its launch three decades ago.