PHOTO
Visitors walk among displays at the UMEX Exhibition showcasing drones, robotics, and unmanned sytems at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi on January 23, 2024. (Photo by Ryan LIM / AFP)
The UAE’s Ministry of Defense spent AED 971 million ($264 million) on equipments including unmanned aerial vehicles and anti-drone guns on the first day of Abu Dhabi’s Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX).
The Tawazun Council, a body which deals with Ministry contracts, said it had signed a deal to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) worth AED 874 million as well as a five-year support and training contract from International Golden Group, which is newly acquired by Abu Dhabi defence contractor Edge Group.
The council also agreed to procure anti-drone guns from Abu Dhabi defence company Resource Industries worth AED 10 million as well as AED 16 million worth of communications bands from Abu Dhabi-listed Yahsat.
Foreign contracts signed were Canadian Aviation Electronics(CAE) for simulator support at training centres for AED 49 million, and a contract with the Chinese company CETC International Co to purchase anti-drones systems worth AED 23 million.
(Reporting by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Seban Scaria)