Defence deals worth Dh749.081 million were inked in three days of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (Umex) and the Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) 2020, the UAE Armed Forces have announced. Local firms bagged contracts worth Dh629.643 million, representing 83 per cent of the overall deals.

“The final day saw 11 deals worth the total value of Dh124.119 million. Contracts inked by local companies were worth Dh121.077 million while overseas ones stood at Dh3.041 million,” said Staff Brigadier Tareq Mohammed Al Bannai, spokesman for the exhibitions.

Adasi and Earth – entities of Edge conglomerate – won major contracts, which was a reflection of how home-grown companies can shake up the sector dominated by the West.

The twin expos had the participation of 166 companies, including 66 local ones. Focus on border security saw the participation of 34 local companies, Staff Brigadier Fahad Nasser Al Thehli, spokesman for the exhibitions, told Khaleej Times. He underlined that the success of the exhibition has ensured more participation for the next one in 2022.

He noted that more non-defence companies will be part of the next edition. “The UAE is concentrating on artificial intelligence (AI) and preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The presence of such a large number of companies shows trust in the UAE to hold such an exhibition. Every company brought their latest technologies and products,” Al Thehli said.

“The UAE has targets and plans for the future. We always look to be the first. This is the first exhibition in the Mena region dedicated to drones and unmanned systems and we are looking to be worldwide. We will reach there. It’s just a matter of time.”