Arms deals worth $1.8bln sealed on day 2 of IDEX

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by Muhammad Aamir ABU DHABI, 20th February, 2017 (WAM) -- Arms deals worth AED 6.919 billion (US$ 1.88 billion) were signed on the second day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, IDEX 2017, bringing the total transactions in 48-hrs of the exhibition to more than AED11.335 billion (over US$3 billion).

Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi, Official Spokesperson for the 13th edition of IDEX, said that a total of 10 transactions were carried out on Monday, bringing the cumulative number of deals for the first and second day to 31. On day one of the IDEX, 21 deals worth more than AED4.4 billion were signed.

Speaking at a daily press briefing Al Shamsi, said that five of the deals were made with the national companies and the remaining five with international companies. Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli, Official Spokesperson of the fourth edition of the Naval Defence Exhibition, NAVDEX 2017, was also present.

Announcing details of the deals signed today, Al Shamsi said that a contract was signed with the UAE based company, International Golden Group (IGG), to buy over AED11.7 million worth of ammunitions for the UAE Air Force. Similarly a contract worth over AED9.1 million was signed with the American company, Cubic Simulation Systems, to buy and install simulations for internal training.

He said that a contract worth over AED865. 7 million was signed with Swedish aerospace and defence company, SAAB AB, to buy new airborne G6000 SRSS (Swing Role Surveillance System) aircrafts and provide additional supply of spare parts for ground hardware and perishable materials.

A contract was signed with the Russian company, ROSOBORONEXPORT, to buy worth over AED2.6 billion of anti-armour missiles, Al Shamsi said, adding that a contract worth over AED151. 2 million was signed with the German company, Rheinmentall Defence Electronics, to buy combat simulations.

A contract with International Golden Group (IGG), a UAE-based company, was signed to buy over AED290 million worth of weaponry and technical gear/equipment. A contract worth over AED611.6 million was signed with the American company, Raytheon, to purchase missiles.

The Spokesman said that a contract valued at AED23. 4 million was signed with the UAE based company NIMR Automotive, to upgrade and buy its defence 4x4 NIMR tanks.

A contract with UAE based company, Trust International Group, to buy worth about AED553. 7 million military grade explosive interactive weapons.

A contract with the UAE based company Maximus Air, nearly AED1.8 billion was signed to buy air cargo planes for commercial use.

Staff Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi said that the first two days have led to an increasing number of deals with national and international companies alike. Furthermore, he stressed that IDEX 2017 offers a platform to engage with stakeholders, foster deals, build partnerships and witness the latest in defence innovation and technology.