The UAE awarded 10 military contracts worth Dh10.18 billion ($2.77 billion) on the third day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex), pushing the total value of contracts awarded so far during the Middle East's biggest defence expo to almost Dh20 billion.
The UAE Armed Forces awarded seven contracts worth Dh9.66 billion to local companies, while international groups landed three deals valued at Dh523 million, officials at Tawazun Council, the defence and security regulator and acquisitions authority in the UAE, said on Wednesday.
UAE defence conglomerate Edge clinched the biggest deal among the local companies, worth Dh4.36 billion, to purchase MKs bombs. Edge won other contracts, including a Dh1.92 billion deal to provide the deployment of technical support system for naval forces, a Dh227 million contract to purchase anti-jamming systems and a Dh288 million deal to buy tracked RCV unmanned vehicles.
The International Golden Group was awarded a contract worth Dh382 million to procure E-Loran system, while Abu Dhabi's Trust won a contract to purchase CBRN protective suits worth Dh121.3 million. A contract worth Dh2.36 million was awarded to CLS Automotive Technologies to procure Wahash armoured vehicles.
“Edge is one of our national entities that is supplying our defence industry with many capabilities and it is one of our strategic partners,” Majed Al Jaberi, representative for Tawazun Council, said.
Set up in 2019, Edge specialises in building advanced technology for weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare, with more than 35 companies under its umbrella.
Among the international companies, Europe's Naval Group won the biggest contract, worth Dh472 million, to provide technical assistance and integrated logistics support services for corvettes. Eurotradia International won a contract valued at Dh24 million to supply spare parts for France's Leclerc tank and Lockheed Martin won the contract to provide technical assistance services worth Dh26.77 million.
Over the first three days of the event, the UAE has awarded 28 contracts, with an overwhelming majority of those going to the UAE-based companies, officials said.
The UAE, the Arab world's second-largest economy, is focusing on boosting its defence manufacturing capabilities as part of its overarching economic transformation agenda to cut its reliance on hydrocarbons sector. The UAE's Operation 300bn strategy seeks to increase the contribution of its industrial sector to the country's gross domestic product to Dh300 billion by 2031, from Dh133 billion in 2021.
Separately, an Edge Group entity, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), formed a partnership with Spanish defence company Indra to equip the FA-400 offshore patrol vessel with advanced systems.
“As a vessel entirely designed and constructed in the UAE, the FA-400 reinforces our objective of building a portfolio of world-class platforms, fully aligned with the needs of modern defence,” Khaled Al Zaabi, president of platforms and systems at Edge and chairman of ADSB, said.
“Integrating Indra’s advanced radar and electromagnetic systems enhances the FA-400’s capabilities.”
Edge also signed an initial agreement to explore collaboration opportunities in naval combat systems and meet the requirements of modern naval forces around the world, according to a statement from the company.
Meanwhile, Xrange, an international multi-domain training, test, and evaluation facility for defence, aerospace, and commercial applications operated by Remaya, signed an initial agreement with Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of Space42, to establish a permanent testing centre for high-altitude, long-endurance UAV trials.
Idex attracts industry leaders eager to display their latest military hardware and technology ranging from small arms to drones and multi-capability armoured vehicles for a diverse range of operations.
More than 150,000 visitors are expected to attend the week-long event, where more than 1,565 exhibitors from across the world are in attendance. Idex features 41 country pavilions and is spread across more than 180,000 square metres of exhibition space.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
PRISCILLA
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
HAJJAN
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The past Palme d'Or winners
2018 Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda
2017 The Square, Ruben Ostlund
2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach
2015 Dheepan, Jacques Audiard
2014 Winter Sleep (Kış Uykusu), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux
2012 Amour, Michael Haneke
2011 The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat), Apichatpong Weerasethakul
2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
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Race results:
1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min
2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec
3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
