UAE signs $1.23 billion defence deals as Russian, Israeli arms displayed at Abu Dhabi arms expo

The UAE said on Monday it signed deals worth $1.23 billion (4.5 billion dirhams) with local and international firms on Monday, the first day of the biennial International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) defence expo in Abu Dhabi.

The exhibition included several Russian companies participating in the maritime section despite Western pressure on Gulf states to help isolate Moscow, as well as a strong showing by Israeli companies.

Russian firms, including Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport, displayed assault rifles, missiles and drones at the Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) as part of the expo. 

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The Russian pavilion with more than 200 samples of weapons and military equipment began its work at the international defence exhibition IDEX 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.#Russia #IDEX2023 #Military #Defense pic.twitter.com/b0EIT6JNus

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At least three Russian companies approached by Reuters declined to speak.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia, which have not adopted Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, have resisted US pressure to break links with Russia, with which they have energy and economic ties.

The chief executive of BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russia joint venture, said the firm was moving forward in talks launched five years ago with the UAE for the firm's supersonic cruise missiles, which can be launched from sea, land and air.

"We are in conversation of course with the UAE and other neighbouring countries," Atul D. Rane told Reuters, describing the talks with the UAE as advanced after having slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UAE authorities did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Many arms-producing nations vie for influence and contracts from wealthy Gulf Arab countries, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which have moved to diversify their defence partners and want to develop their own industries.

The UAE and Bahrain forged ties with Israel in 2020 partly due to a shared concern over Iran, whose missile and drone capabilities are seen as a threat by Gulf Arab states.

The normalisation agreements sparked outrage across the Arab world, with Israel continuing to occupy the West Bank and carry out daily abuses against Palestinians.

Israeli firms also had a large presence at IDEX, including Iron Dome anti-missile-system maker Rafael.

Israel Aerospace Industries held a demonstration of an unmanned vessel with Abu Dhabi Ship Building and Abu Dhabi state-owned defence conglomerate EDGE, the first joint demonstration of military equipment between the two countries.

"Our relation is a very good example of the relations between the nations and the companies. We are complementary, one to each other," Oren Gutter, operational adviser to IAI's CEO on naval affairs, told Reuters.

Organisers said 65 countries were taking part in IDEX, which runs till 24 February, including major US defence conglomerates such as Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

(Reuters)