Sophisticated arms display at Abu Dhabi expo delight security-conscious nations

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Photo by Ryan Lim/Khaleej Times
Photo by Ryan Lim/Khaleej Times

Dubai - Amid the sophistications, safety remained the priority as each of the thousands in attendance had been tested Covid-19 negative.

by

Ashwani Kumar

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Published: Sun 21 Feb 2021, 9:57 PM

The much-awaited International Defence Exhibition (Idex) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex) opened doors to visitors in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Hundreds of exhibitors and countries showcased their military might by displaying hi-tech armoured vehicles, missiles, rifles, drones, submarines and more.

Amid the sophistications, safety remained the priority as each of the thousands in attendance had been tested Covid-19 negative. There were regular messages aired through speakers to keep the mask on. Volunteers were on the ground with placards urging everyone to maintain safe distancing and they would make a dash at any group not following the precautionary norms.


Held under the patronage of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the five-day expo was inaugurated by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

During the opening ceremony, an aerial show filled the skies with the colours of the UAE national flag. There were mock demonstrations of military operations highlighting the use of advanced technologies.


Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Republic of Chechnya; Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan; Oleg Urusky, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine; and Lieutenant General Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo Musa, First Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council in the Republic of Sudan and other senior officials were also present at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec). Other UAE ministers and high-ranking officials were also present.

The opening day saw a flurry of activities with product launches and deal signing. At the end of the first day, contracts worth Dh5 billion were sealed. The expo runs till Thursday.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com


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