Daily news - Day 2
UAE President opens show
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday declared the eighth IDEX at the new Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre officially open. The opening ceremony was attended by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister; Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Crown Princes, Sheikhs and high-ranking officials and dignitaries. Also present were heads of delegations and exhibitors.
19 February, 2007
MBDA on target with VL MICA
European missile house MBDA (Stand 2000) is set to secure the first sale of its VL (Vertical Launch) MICA naval point defence missile system to a regional navy.
19 February, 2007
ELTBAT alliance aims for EW excellence
Italian electronic warfare house Elettronica (Stand 1516) and Abu Dhabi-based Baynunah Aviation Technology (BAT) have established a joint venture company intended to create a centre of excellence for electronic defence technology in the UAE and the Gulf region.
19 February, 2007
Leopard 2E comes to IDEX
Taking part in the mobility display is a Spanish Army Leopard 2E Main Battle Tank (MBT) that is currently in full-scale production at the facilities of General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas in Seville. This is the only MBT on display at IDEX this year.
19 February, 2007
ADSB wins police boat contract
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has been awarded a lead contract for the supply of a new inshore patrol boat for the Abu Dhabi Marine Police. Based on a design already in service with the Canadian Police, the craft will be built in Canada by ADSB’s strategic partner Hike Metal Products. Delivery will take place later this year.
19 February, 2007
Royal Schelde corvette prepares to set sail
Two years after presenting its new SIGMA (Ship Integrated Geometrical Modularity Approach) family of surface ships at IDEX 2005, Dutch shipbuilder Royal Schelde will shortly start sea trials for the first of four 90m SIGMA corvettes on order for the Indonesian Navy.
19 February, 2007
Thales, DCN agree naval merger
Agreement was reached in late January for the merger of DCN with Thales’ naval business interests in France.
19 February, 2007
More firepower from China
China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) (Stand 4500) has revealed at IDEX that it has developed a wheeled 155mm/52 calibre self-propelled (SP) artillery system called SH1. Development of this commenced as a private venture in 2002 and so far two units have been built – one prototype and one pre-production.
19 February, 2007
Meggitt simulates FIAC threat
Meggitt Defence Systems Canada (Outdoor Stand 70), part of the Meggitt group, has secured additional contracts to provide weapon training products and services for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) with the release of the advanced Hammerhead unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and an increased involvement in the Barracuda unmanned boat.
19 February, 2007
Broad spectrum
One of Europe’s leading suppliers of defence technology systems, Rheinmetall Defence, has a robust presence in the Middle East, and this is reflected in a wide array of products and services on show here at IDEX. “We see IDEX as an opportunity to give our customers a clearer idea of what we can do to bolster their military security,” said Andres Haller, head of sales for Rheinmetall Middle East.
19 February, 2007