The first day of the International Defence Exhibition (Idex) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex) 2021 in Abu Dhabi has seen the UAE Armed Forces sign 19 deals, worth AED5.03 billion ($1.37 billion), with local and international companies.

The deals came on the first day of the two exhibitions, which will run until February 25, reported state-run news agency WAM.

Staff Brigadier-General Mohammed Al Hassani, Official Spokesperson of the Idex and Navdex exhibitions, said: "The total amount of deals signed with international parties amounted to AED1.091 billion, which is 22 percent of the total value of deals. Meanwhile, the value of deals signed with UAE companies reached AED3.939 billion, or 78 percent of the total value of deals.

"Seven contracts were awarded to foreign companies, and 12 contracts were awarded to companies based in the UAE.”

The deals were announced during a press conference held today in the presence of Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli and Lieutenant-Colonel Staff Maya Rashid Almazrouei, spokespersons for Idex and Navdex 2021.

Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli, Official Spokesperson for Navdex, commented: "Contracts have been agreed between the UAE Armed Forces and the Emirati company Calidus Aerospace, purchasing the Calidus B-250 aircraft, at a value of AED1,697,834,053. Agreements have also been finalised with NIMR Automotive to purchase NIMR vehicles at a value of AED230,416,000.

"The UAE Armed Forces have further finalised deals with the Abu Dhabi based company, the International Golden Group, purchasing ammunition and weapons for the armed forces at a value of AED689,156,040.

“Deals were also agreed with Al Masaood, providing spare parts and maintenance for a Leclerc tank and spare parts for Oshkosh Defence vehicles, at a value of AED250,000,000.

"GAL, part of the EDGE Group, agreed a deal with the UAE Armed Forces to provide technical support for the air navigation systems of the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command, with a value of AED410,000,000. Contracts were also finalised with Bin Hilal Enterprises, supplying spare parts, repair, and technical support for the General Maintenance Corp, with a value of AED45,000,000.

"Deals were signed with Al Fattan Marine Services to buy coastal patrol boats, helping enable vital installations and coastal protection, at a value of AED35,494,740. Further agreements were signed with Etihad Ship Building, providing technical support alongside spare parts for boats and naval vessels at a value of AED60,000,000.

"The UAE Armed Forces have also signed deals with AMMROC, another subsidiary of EDGE Group, to review the efficiency and ensure the combat readiness of aircraft of the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command, with the total value of AED175,788,667. Wolf Sbane WholeSale of Military Equipment Trading also signed deals to install chemical, radiation detection, and early warning devices for the Chemical Defence Command. In addition, a contract was signed with Maximus Air, to charter air freight services for the Armed Forces, at a value of AED293,840,000."

Lieutenant-Colonel Staff Maya Rashid Almazrouei added: "The UAE Armed Forces announced a deal with the German company, RheinMettal Defence Electronics, to develop technology for ground forces’ engagement, with a value of AED57,427,500, while a contract was also agreed with Insitu to purchase integrator drones systems, with a value of AED405,008,910.

"A deal was signed with the Serbian company, Yugoimport, to provide shells and artillery for land engagement, with a value of AED74,698,742. Contracts have been agreed with Tecnobit to provide artillery simulators for land units, and a contract has been confirmed with the French company Thales SIX to develop the GATR-T Communication System for the UAE Air Defence Forces, with a deal confirmed for AED350,610,000.

"The UAE Armed Forces confirmed deals with Denel SOC, trading as Denel Dynamics, to provide an unmanned drone system, Seeker 400 UAE, to the Presidential Guard Command with a value of AED50,000,000. Contracts were also signed with the French company, Ouvry SAS, to purchase preventative missions for chemical defence, at a value of AED101,376,664.”