Russian firms showcase guns, missiles at UAE defense expo

ABU DHABI, Feb 20 (Reuters) – A major defense expo was held in the United Arab Emirates on Monday with participation from Russian companies, despite Western pressure on Gulf states to help isolate Moscow and a strong showing by Israeli companies. maritime part.

Russian companies including Kalashnikov and Rosoboronexport displayed assault rifles, missiles and wireless weapons at the Naval Defense and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX), part of the biennial International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) event. man-machine.

Men in traditional Emirati clothing, known as a thobe, and men in military uniform from India, Pakistan and other countries were seen interacting with representatives of Russian companies. At least three Russian companies contacted by Reuters declined to comment.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia, which have not imposed Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have resisted U.S. pressure to sever ties with Russia because of their energy and economic ties.

The chief executive of BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russia joint venture, said the company was advancing talks with the UAE five years ago over the company’s supersonic cruise missile, which could be launched from sea, land and air.

“We are of course in dialogue with the UAE and other neighboring countries,” Atul D. Rane told Reuters, describing progress after talks with the UAE slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Many arms producers are vying for influence and contracts from wealthy Gulf Arab states, notably the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which have moved to diversify their defense partners and look to grow their own industries.

The UAE and Bahrain forged ties with Israel in 2020, in part because of shared concerns about Iran, whose missile and drone capabilities are seen as a threat by Gulf Arab states.

Israeli companies have a strong presence at IDEX, including Rafael, maker of the Iron Dome anti-missile system.

Israel Aerospace Industries held an unmanned vessel demonstration with Abu Dhabi Shipyard and Abu Dhabi state-owned defense group EDGE, the first joint demonstration of military equipment between the two countries.

“Our relationship is a great example of the relationship between a state and a company. We are complementary, we complement each other,” Oren Gutter, an operational adviser to the chief executive of IAI Naval Affairs, told Reuters.

Organizers say 65 countries are participating in IDEX, which ends Feb. 24, including major U.S. defense groups such as Raytheon Technologies (RTX.N)lockheed martin (LMT.N) and Boeing (prohibit).

The UAE said on Monday it had signed deals worth 4.5 billion dirhams ($1.23 billion) with local and international companies, including a 1.5 billion dirham agreement with Indonesian company PT Pal to procure a multi-mission vessel and a deal with France’s Thales Signed AED 421 million contract for GM403 Radar LAS. ($1 = 3.6728 UAE dirhams)

(This story has been refiled to fix the spelling in the first paragraph)

Reporting by Yousef Saba; Editing by Alex Richardson

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