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Defence industry activity is in full swing as Australian and international companies compete for major contracts at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2023.
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There’s already ink drying on some massive defence deals at the expo and it’s only at the halfway point through the IDEX official program held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 20 to 24 February.
From the Australian defence industry, Electro Optic Systems is showcasing direct-energy systems and remote weapon stations at the event. Both systems has been shown with effective counter-drone capability after testing late last year in Canada and Australia.
South Australian X-ray equipment supplier, Micro-X, is exhibiting its Argus X-ray camera as part of the Team Defence Australia stand at the expo. The camera provides detection and diagnosis of improvised threats during counter improvised explosive device disposal and high-risk search operations.
Adelaide-based company Fivecast is also exhibiting their open-source intelligence solutions at the event as part of Team Defence Australia.
The UAE Ministry of Defence and UAE independent government entity Tawazun Council have already signed contracts worth 4.5 billion United Arab Emirates dirham (AU$1.8 billion) on the first day of the expo, with six contracts worth a total 2.3 billion dirham with local companies, and signed five contracts with international companies totalling 2.2 billion dirham.
Those arrangements include the procuring of Thunder P3 short-range guided munition systems for the UAE Armed Forces from Edge Group subsidiary Halcon, vessel technical support services from Maplin Marine Systems & Services, as well as technical support services on caterpillar vehicles with Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar LLC, supply of SR Hawk radars and portable radars from Atlas Telecom, and a contract for mine clearance system technology from Romco International.
Another agreement was signed with Al Hamra Trades to procure and provide maintenance services on inspection devices and explosives detectors.
International contracts included procurement of multi-mission vessel from Indonesian company PT Pal, procurement of GM403 radars from Thales LAS, ammunition procurement from US company Alliant Techsystems, missile technical support services with MBDA, and communication systems technical support with Germany’s Rhode & Schwartz.
On day two of the conference, the Tawazun Council, working closely with the Ministry of Defense, security agencies, and Abu Dhabi Police, announced the signing of 12 deals, worth 8.14 billion dirham.
The council awarded an additional contract to Halcon for the supply of Desert Sting P5 system precision guided glide weapons and Hunter UAV systems.
A contract was also awarded to Edge Group subsidiary ADASI to supply Shadow jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as Edge Group subsidiary ADSB to supply rescue boats.
A deal was struck with Trust International Group for Minimi machine guns and 7.62mm machine guns. There were additional contracts with International Golden Group to procure telecom systems and with Marakeb to develop Golden Unit multi-mission unmanned boats.
International contracts included the development and support for ground station radio and procurement of combat management systems with the French Thales Six company, a signed contract with the German company Rheinmetall for technical support for engagement simulation, and a deal made with US company Harris International to procure telecom systems and intercom units.
