The UAE Armed Forces awarded contracts worth 7.29 billion dirhams ($1.98 billion) on the second day of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference, with most of these contracts going to international companies.
Brigadier Mohammed Al-Hosni, the official spokesperson for IDEX and the Naval Defense and Security Exhibition, stated that the armed forces signed 11 deals, including nine contracts worth 6.98 billion dirhams with global companies. Local firms secured contracts worth 310 million dirhams. He remarked, "This amount is very good according to the armed forces' requirements." Among the international deals was a contract worth $3.74 billion with Saab for the purchase of G6000 early warning aircraft, and a Dh2.61 billion deal with Raytheon for the purchase of Patriot missiles.
Among the local companies that won contracts were Golden Group International and Ahmed Al Mazrouei Metal Industries, which received contracts valued at 285 million dirhams and 25 million dirhams, respectively.
In related news, UAE-based weapon manufacturing company "Caracal" unveiled two new products yesterday: the second-generation "Caracal F General 2" pistol and the semi-automatic CSA338 rifle. CEO Hamad Al Ameri stated, "These represent the pinnacle of innovation, performance, and reliability," adding that the two weapons mark "significant technological and manufacturing advancement in supplying markets locally and internationally." The small arms manufacturer is part of the Missiles and Weapons Group within EDGE, a UAE defense conglomerate that is among the world's top 25 military suppliers.
The UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, is hosting the International Defense Exhibition "IDEX-2021" from February 20-25, bringing together more than 24 experts and specialists in the defense sector. This year's exhibition is held in a "hybrid" format for the first time, with broad participation from 80 countries both physically at the ADNOC Business Center and virtually.
