Idex 2015: UAE awards Dh9.5 billion defence deals

Abu Dhabi — The UAE Armed Forces has signed 20 deals valued at Dh9.48 billion with local and foreign firms to buy drones, military vehicles, two satellites, fast patrol  boats and other hardware. Speaking at a briefing, Maj-Gen Obaid Al Ketbi, spokesman for the UAE General Headquarters, said that the UAE Armed Forces signed a deal with Al Taif Technical Services, a government-owned entity, to provide repairs and maintenance to the vehicles in a contract worth Dh2.2 billion.

The UAE is still in talks with both BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation over the possible multi-billion-dollar purchase of fighter jets, he said.

“Talks are still going on, no update,” Ketbi told reporters at a media event on the sidelines of the conference.

European companies Airbus and Thales did have a deal to celebrate. They signed a Dh3.745 billion deal for the UAE to purchase two satellites and their land control stations, according to Ketbi. “The defence industry is one of the core pillars of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. The Idex provides many opportunities to demonstrate the growing capacity of the defence and security industries sector,” he said in a statement. Abu Dhabi-based company Nimr Automobile Company received an order to supply 500 Nimr 8x8 armored military vehicles and develop another 500 vehicles in a deal valued at Dh1.2 billion. Airbus Defence and Thales Alenia have been awarded contracts to supply military satellites worth Dh3.745 billion, while Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems has been given a contract to supply drones valued at Dh490 million. Another government-owned firm, Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company, won a deal worth Dh870 million to build two naval vessels for the UAE Navy. Ammroc, a Mubadala unit that provides repairs and maintenance to fighter jets, cargo aircraft and helicopters, will supply spares and provide overhauling, repairs and maintenance to the aircraft fleet in a contract worth Dh200 million. Abu Dhabi-based private company Al Jabr Land Systems got a deal to supply spares valuing Dh83 million, while Rosnbauer International, an Australian firm, will supply 14 fire tenders in a contract worth Dh24 million. Al Fattan Ship Building, an Abu Dhabi-based company, has won a contract to build eight patrol boats in a deal valued at Dh18.5 million, while Russian firm KBP Technical will provide anti-armor equipment for Dh22 million. A deal was signed with Elettronica Spa Italian to provide technical backing, maintenance and development of mobile electronic defense equipment. The contract is valued at Dh96 million. International Golden Group, a leading arms supplier based in Abu Dhabi, got a contract to supply mortars worth Dh52 million, while Cubic Simulation Systems, got a deal to provide simulators valuing Dh21 million. A contract was awarded to the Abu Dhabi Airport Company to provide technical support for aircrafts worth Dh70 million. -KHALEEJ TIMES