First shipment of naval military units arrives in AD

ABU DHABI: A shipment of naval units comprising five ships and boats arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thurdsday to be showcased at the sixth edition of the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition ( NAVDEX) 2021.

The event will coincide with the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2021, which will start on Sunday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

NAVDEX provides a dedicated and focused plaform for international naval defence and maritime security companies to showcase their technologies and services to an international audience.

The second batch of naval units meant for the event will arrive on Feb.20. The number of showcased units will total 17 from 10 countries.

Colonel Fahad Nasser Saif Al Thehli, official spokesperson of NAVDEX 2021, who received the naval units, welcomed the participants at the global event while military music played when the naval vessels and ships entered the marina.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Thehli stressed that the participating naval units include minesweepers, missile boats, patrol boats, landing crat, rescue boats, destroyers and frigates, adding that over 70 Emirati and foreign companies from 17 countries will participate in NAVDEX 2021, reflecting the event’s prominent stature as a plaform for major international companies to showcase the latest naval and security defence technologies.

He further added that all precautionary and preventive measures have been taken to protect the health and safety of participants and visitors, in light of the current extraordinary conditions facing the entire world.

“We are proud of the role of the UAE and its capacity to organise IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 amidst the current conditions, which demonstrates the country’s ability to address challenges and turn them into opportunities,” Al Thehli said.

He pointed out that many companies specialising in naval security technologies will participate in the event as part of the UAE’S pavilion, and showcase multi-purpose boats and launch new military units.

Staff Major General Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al-alawi, Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense said that holding the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) and the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) and the International Defence Conference in Abu Dhabi reveals the UAE’S capabilities, readiness, strong infrastructure, and expertise to organise such a large-scale global event, while ensuring the safety and protection of all following the preventive and precautionary measures.