Tawazun Council, the independent government entity that works closely with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies to maximise value through acquisition systems, announced signing of 11 deals with local and international companies on day one of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2023, cumulatively worth Dhs4.5 billion.

Zayed Saeed Al Meraikhi, the official Spokesman of Tawazun Council, said the number of contracts signed by Tawazun Council on behalf of the Ministry of Defence with local companies has reached six contracts, totaling Dhs2.3 billion, while the number of contracts signed with international companies has reached five contracts, totaling Dhs2.2 billion.

Al Meraikhi said that Tawazun Council signed a contract worth Dhs2.14 billion with Halcon, a subsidiary of Edge Group, to procure Thunder P3 system and an Dhs78 million contract with Maplin Marine Systems & Services to provide vessels’ technical support services.

Also signed were an Dhs45 million contract with Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar LLC to provide technical support services on caterpillar vehicles, a contract worth Dhs26 million with Atlas Telecom to procure SR Hawk radars and portable radars and a contract with Romco International to procure mine clearance system for Dhs4 million.

The sixth local contract was signed with Al Hamra Trades to procure and to provide maintenance services on inspection devices and explosives detectors. The contract value is Dhs8 million.

Majed Ahmed Al Jaberi, Official Spokesman of Tawazun Council, announced the contracts Tawazun Council has signed with international companies. They include an Dhs1.5 billion contract with the Indonesian company PT Pal for the procurement of multi-mission vessel. Another contract worth Dhs421 million was signed with Thales LAS of France for the procurement of GM403 radars.

Al Jaberi said the deals signed on Day 1 of the exhibition included an Dhs202 million contract with the US company Allant Techsystems to procure ammunition, an Dhs92 million contract with French company MBDA to provide missiles’ technical support services and an Dhs3 million contract with Germany’s Rhode & Schwartz to provide communication systems’ technical support.

“Thanks to our leadership’s vision, the announcement made by Tawazun Council, in partnership with the Ministry of Defense, represents a continuation of IDEX past successes,” Al Jaberi said.

Saeed Al Mansoori, CEO of Capital Events, a subsidiary of ADNEC Group, said this edition of IDEX and NAVDEX 2023 is the biggest since the launch of the event three decades ago.

EDGE signs $1.07b deal: EDGE Group on Monday signed a major $1.07 billion (€1 billion) milestone contract which will see leading shipbuilder Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) build a fleet of best-in-class 71-metre corvettes for the Angolan Navy.

The BR71 MKII corvette is a highly sophisticated vessel fitted with advanced mission systems, including a 3D radar, electronic warfare suite, secure communications, a main gun, and surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile systems.

Khalid Al Breiki, President of Platforms and Systems at EDGE, said, “Signing a €1 billion defence export deal represents a momentous achievement for EDGE and ADSB. This demonstrates our strategic approach and steadfast commitment to increasing national exports in line with the UAE Leadership’s directive.”

Through exporting UAE-made advanced solutions globally, EDGE is developing a local defence industrial base, generating in-country value, diversifying the economy, and positioning the UAE as a serious global player within the advanced technology and defence sectors.

David Massey, CEO of ADSB, said, “At ADSB, we feel a tremendous sense of pride in signing a €1 billion export deal. The BR71 MKII corvette is a highly advanced vessel capable of performing multiple missions to secure Angola’s 1600-km coastline. We look forward to fulfilling the Angolan Navy’s operational requirements and strengthening their naval capabilities while expanding ADSB’s avenues of growth.” Operating from an advanced 330,000 square metre shipyard in Abu Dhabi, ADSB builds corvettes, offshore patrol EDGE also unveiled 11 new cutting-edge unmanned and autonomous solutions with enhanced capabilities for application across air, land, and maritime domains on the opening day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2023).

The achievements reinforce EDGE’s position as one of the world’s leading defence groups, and an emerging leader in the development and manufacture of technologically advanced autonomous systems.

The new breakthrough products and systems cover a wide range of missions, including tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), logistics support, and sophisticated combat operations.

Mansour Almulla, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE Group, said, “Today marks the culmination of extensive investment in industry-leading companies, innovation, and rapid product development to significantly expand our offerings and ensure our local and global customers can access the most cutting-edge solutions in the market. We are proud to debut a portfolio of ‘Made in the UAE’ autonomy-enabled solutions that will enable our customers to expand their reach to new heights and depths across multiple combat environments.”

WAM