19.02.2017.
Serbian Defence Industry Products at prominent position in the Arms Exhibition in Abu Dhabi
Today, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi saw the opening of the 13th International Arms and Military Equipment Exhibition IDEX 2017, at which Serbian companies Jugoimport SDPR, Sloboda, Prva Petoletka, Zastava oružje, Krušik and Borbeni složeni sistemi (Combat Complex Systems) are presenting their production capacities. In Abu Dhabi, four new Serbian defence industry products were presented for the first time, and they aroused a huge interest even during the very first day of the IDEX 2017 Exhibition. One of them is the artillery missile with trajectory correction called “Šumadija“, with the range of 300km designed to be launched from the multibarrel rocket launcher. Unmanned combat and surveillance helicopter the “Hornet” was also presented. The aircraft has the flight autonomy of up to five hours when used for surveillance, and two and a half hours when used for combat actions. Astonishing attention of the visitors was attracted by a multipurpose armoured vehicle “Miloš”, designed for reconnaissance, patrol and special actions protected against the impact of antitank mines, with four wheel drive. Another novelty was the artillery missile “Hail” with 52 kilometres range and calibre of 122mm.
The Jugoimport SDPR stand topped its presentation so far, both by its size and number and significance of the exhibits. Apart from the standard products of our companies such as various types of small arms, all kinds of small, middle and large calibre ammunition and components, non-guided and guided missiles, ALAS system, optic and optoelectronic equipment, a self-propelled howitzer “Nora” 155mm and armoured vehicle 8x8 “Lazar” were presented for the first time in life-size.A delegation of the Ministry of Defence headed by the Assistant Minister for Material Resources, Mr Nenad Miloradović is also visiting Abu Dhabi.
“The market of the United Arab Emirates is one of the key markets for Serbian defence industry, and currently we have active contracts there of the total value of around USD 220 million. The Armed Forces and defence industry of the UAE are also our strategic partner for development of several types of sophisticated weapons which should significantly enhance operational capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces as well as our export potential. At this moment, we are leading discussions which should result in signing new contracts, both for delivery of standard weapons and ammunition of our defence industry, and for the initiation of new joint development projects”, declared Assistant Minister Miloradović.
Today, the Serbian delegation met with the Military Air Force Commander of the UAE – Major General Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi with whom the current cooperation of the two air forces was reviewed as well as the progress made on the project for guided air force armament which is being developed through a partnership of our two defence industries. Furthermore, during the talks plans were considered for new types of weapons and aircraft that are in the phase of preparation. Moreover, a meeting was held with a co-chair of the Committee for Military Economic Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia and the General Staff of the UAE, Brigadier Waheed Al Zaaki dealing with the current and new projects and contracts.According to the announcement of the organisers of the IDEX 2017 Exhibition, more than 1200 companies from 57 states will partake in the Exhibition. Even on the very first day, our stand raised considerable interest and was visited by many foreign delegations.
