Daily news - Day 5
Training is key for Kuwait
The Kuwait National Guard has awarded a multi-million dollar contract to Lockheed Martin for the provision of live and virtual training at a new training facility at Kazma, just outside Kuwait City. In addition, the company will develop a Wargaming Centre to develop the computer generation of various terrain. Lockheed Martin UK Simulation, Training & Support (LMUK STS) will oversee execution of the contract from its facilities in Farnborough, UK.
22 February, 2007
Further UAE Contracts
The UAE Armed Forces have announced further deals worth Dh1.4bn ($465m). Speaking at yesterday’s news conference, Major General Obaid Al Ketbi said the army had signed a Dh343m contract with local company GAMCO for the maintenance of Hawk aircraft. Another local firm, Global Medical Solutions, clinched a Dh400m order for improving the medical care system, while academic qualifications are to be lifted with contracts for the Institute of Applied Technology (Dh42m) and UAE company Matrix (Dh368m).
22 February, 2007
More firepower on land and water
The Finnish Patria Vehicles Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) (8x8) is being shown during the mobility display fitted with the complete turret of the Russian BMP-3 tracked IFV, which is in large scale service with a number of countries in the Gulf. It successfully completed a 2,000km mobility trial in a GCC country, which was followed by a firepower trial that included engaging a wide range of targets while the platform was stationary and moving.
22 February, 2007
Talisman comes up from the deep
BAE Systems Underwater Systems has offered a first glimpse of an improved version of its Talisman multi-mission unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) at IDEX 2007.
22 February, 2007
Second wind
South Africa’s Denel accounts for more than half of the country’s industry, and in the post-apartheid era quickly established a reputation for innovative design, quality manufacture and competitive prices that boosted exports. However, although many potential customers had a positive attitude to the new South Africa and respected its defence products, the initial sales momentum began to falter, while Denel was also beset with financial problems.
22 February, 2007
ADNEC set to grow
Fresh from the success of IDEX 2007 – its inaugural event – the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is set to expand further over the coming months.
22 February, 2007
ISNR Abu Dhabi launched
Reed Exhibitions Middle East yesterday announced the launch of ISNR (International Security & National Resilience) Abu Dhabi, an international trade show focused on addressing homeland security challenges facing governments and businesses in the region. ISNR Abu Dhabi will be held from 2-5 March 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The event will be held in association with the UAE Ministry of Interior.
22 February, 2007
Strategic priority
Finmeccanica, the Italian defence industry giant, has started talks with the Mubadala Development Company (MDC) on a wide range of opportunities in the aerospace and defence sectors. MDC is the strategic investment arm of the UAE government and one of the areas of potential interest between the two companies is the possibility of developing joint ventures in various aerospace fields.
These could be aimed at international markets, and to reinforce its commitment to focusing on the UAE as a key strategic priority, Finmeccanica has opened a new office in Abu Dhabi. The Italian company takes the view that the region is not simply a market for its products but is also an area where technological, logistical and educational opportunities can be developed.
22 February, 2007
Little Niti is not big, but it is clever
The Kintex company (Stand 3903) brings news of the new Niti UAV, the fruit of collaboration between the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and other institutions. They have produced a UAV with aerodynamic stealth characteristics enhanced by a special coating that is said to make the Niti undetectable by radar.
22 February, 2007
Getting a pilot to fly a UAV
The concept of ‘optionally piloted UAVs’ is gaining interest for the benefits to be derived from manually controlling an aircraft through controlled airspace before embarking on an unmanned surveillance mission. This is the reasoning behind the OPALE 42 system promoted here by Rheinmetall Defence (Stand OD150) and Diamond Aircraft, which is being demonstrated at the show.
22 February, 2007