Idarat Maritime, a provider of systemic and resilient solutions to shipping companies, has launched a glass protective system to shield crews against small arms and blast at the ongoing Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex) in Abu Dhabi.

The inaugural Navdex opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on February 20, and will conclude tomorrow (February 24).

The protection system Water Dragon C2, tested and marketed by British firm Idarat Protection, and subjected to ballistics tests in the UK, has been shown to be an effective protection against AK47 7.62 mm rifle fire, the standard weapon used by Somali pirates, a statement said.

Coastal forces using small lightly protected vessels will also find Water Dragon C2 to be of particular interest as it gives their crews enhanced protection from small arms fire, it added.

Water Dragon C2, which is cost effective and quick to install, offers for protection against bomb blast for building glass and is already installed in key commercial and government offices in the UK, the statement said.

“For far too long the crews manning the bridge of those vessels likely to be attacked in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and off Nigeria have had no tested and effective protection against small arms fire,” said Christopher Ledger, operations director of Idarat Maritime.

“Now there is no reason for them not to be properly protected.  In fact we believe that Water Dragon C2 is essential safety equipment, necessary to protect life at sea.”

Water Dragon C2 is transparent and does not affect the optical properties of marine glass, nor is it affected by heat or cold. Installation can be undertaken when a vessel is at sea, avoiding down time, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service