IDEX 2013: Sudan makes first appearance at IDEX

Sudan's Military Industry Corporation (MIC) showed its wares at an international defence show for the first time during the IDEX exhibition, held in Abu Dhabi from 17-21 February.

Aiming squarely at the lower end of the international defence market, MIC nevertheless attracted considerable interest, with one company representative telling IHS Jane's that its stand had been the busiest at the show. Although Mozambique was the only country MIC named as a customer, it said it was in negotiations with other African states.

The Sudanese concern displayed various infantry and crew-served weapons at the show that were mainly of Soviet or Chinese design, including a PK general-purpose machine gun, a Type 85 heavy machine gun, and RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launchers (RPGs).

It also displayed its Terab assault rifle, which appears to be a copy of the Chinese CQ version of the US-designed M16 rifle.

MIC also promoted various mortars, as well as 107 mm and 122 mm artillery rockets and their associated launchers. The latter included a single-tube 122 mm launcher, the Taka-3, which irregular forces might find useful for harassing area targets.