Idex 2021: UAE Armed Forces sign military deals worth $1.37bn on day one

A total of 19 contracts were awarded, including seven to foreign companies

Charles Dufour of Cebair, with the Chimera, an anti-drone system. Victor Besa / The National 

Idex 2021, the first major in-person exhibition held in Abu Dhabi since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, opened its doors on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National

Abdulelah Al Mohaimeed, of Wahaj of Saudi Arabia, shows his company's 50-calibre heavy machine gun, at Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Saeed Al Mansoori examines a Glock 9mm pistol at at Idex 2021. The event features up to 1,000 defence companies. Victor Besa / The National

A model of the NHIndustries NH90 multi-role military helicopter on display at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors view a Desert Sting-16 missile, built by UAE defence conglomerate EDGE, at Idex 2021. About 15 per cent of the 1,000 companies represented at event are Emirati. Victor Besa / The National

Idex 2021 is the first major in-person exhibition in Abu Dhabi since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. International attendees do not need to quarantine, but must undertake regular PCR tests. Victor Besa / The National

Strict anti-coronavirus measures are in place at Idex 2021, including reminders for visitors to adhere to social distancing. Victor Besa / The National

A robot mops the floor as visitors explore the 35,000 square metres of exhibition space at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Omar Al Matrooshi and Rashed Al Raess hold 9mm pistols made by Austrian manufacturer Glock. About 800 international companies are attending Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Omar Al Matrooshi and Rashed Al Raess examine Glock 9mm pistols at Idex 2021. There are 12 exhibition halls at the event. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors examine sniper rifles made by UAE arms manufacturer Caracal, at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

A close-up view of a 100-kilogram laser/satellite guided bomb at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Organisers expect 70,000 visitors to attend Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors adhere to strict social distancing at Adex 2021, the first major in-person exhibition in Abu Dhabi since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Victor Besa / The National.

A visitor arrives at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National.

Visitors attending Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. The biennial event was first held in 1993. Victor Besa / The National

Strict social distancing measures are being implemented at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Exhibitors at Idex 2021 range from the manufacturers of armoured vehicles to cybersecurity companies. Victor Besa / The National

The total value of deals the UAE is expected to sign this year is likely to be similar to the levels of 2019, organisers have said. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The UAE Armed Forces awarded Dh5.03 billion in contracts on the first day of Idex, with the lion’s share of the deals going to local companies. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Participants at this year's Idex are focusing on cyber security, autonomous weapons, and using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence in defence applications and safe-guarding supply chains during the global health crisis. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The UAE Armed Forces awarded contracts worth Dh5.03 billion ($1.37bn) on the first day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, with the lion’s share going to local companies.

The Armed Forces, which signed a total of 19 contracts, signed seven deals worth Dh1.1bn with international companies, while local companies won contracts worth Dh3.9bn, Staff Brig Gen Mohammed Al Hassani, official spokesman for Idex and Navdex, said on Sunday.

Among the local companies that won contracts was Calidus, which clinched deals valued at Dh1.69bn. Military vehicle manufacturer Nimr was awarded a Dh230 million deal and Ammroc secured a Dh176m contract.

Other UAE-based companies that secured deals included International Golden Group and the Al Masaood company.

US-based Insitu, a Boeing company, won a contract worth Dh405m for the supply of unmanned vehicles. German defence company Rheinmetall won a Dh57.42m deal and France’s Thales clinched a Dh350.6m contract.

"It is a good amount to start for a first day. There is a good mix of local and international companies in the contracts," said Brig Gen Al Hassani.

Idex, which began yesterday in Abu Dhabi, is the Middle East’s largest defence expo. It has drawn industry leaders eager to showcase their latest technology, from drones to armoured vehicles.

The five-day biennial exhibition is the first major defence trade show to take place since the coronavirus pandemic began a year ago.

The total value of deals the UAE is expected to sign this year is expected to be similar to 2019 levels, according to organisers. The Armed Forces awarded contracts worth Dh20.5bn at Idex 2019.

Defence spending by Gulf countries grew by 5.4 per cent to $100bn last year, up from $94.9bn in 2019, according to defence intelligence specialist Janes.

Gulf expenditure on defence is expected to fall by 9.4 per cent this year, before dropping to $89.4bn in 2022 because of lower oil prices and Covid-19, according to Janes.

It expects spending to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024.

Local and international companies such as Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, France’s Thales, the Naval Group and Saudi Military Industries have a large presence this year.

Defence companies will use Idex as a platform to unveil new products, and all eyes will be on UAE defence conglomerate Edge.

At its sprawling stand, the company is displaying its Halcon missile system and armoured vehicles made by its subsidiary Nimr, among other equipment.

Kalashnikov Concern – the largest Russian manufacturer of small arms, guided artillery shells and high-precision weapons – is displaying its AK-15 rifles among dozens of products.

Countries in the Middle East are "very much top of mind as a growth market" for Boeing, said Torbjorn Sjogren, vice president for international government and defence.

The US aircraft maker projected that government support and services from 2020 to 2029 will be worth $1.4 trillion.

The Middle East represents a share of the services market worth $195bn, with more than half of that dedicated to defence and security services.

Gulf countries, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, intend to develop their domestic military industries to produce arms locally amid a push to diversify their economies, create jobs and reduce their reliance on imports.

Saudi Arabia will invest about $20bn in its military industry and defence-related research and development over the next decade as part of plans to localise half of its military spending by 2030, according to Ahmad AlOhali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries.

The kingdom plans to raise its spending on military R&D from 0.2 per cent to 4 per cent by 2030, putting it on par with the global average, said Mr AlOhali.

Participants at this year's Idex will be focused on cyber security, autonomous weapons, advanced technology such as artificial intelligence in defence applications and the protection of supply chains amid the global health crisis.

Organisers announced strict social distancing measures this year to protect public health.