Live displays wow crowds at Abu Dhabi defence show

Some of the world's most advanced armoured personnel carriers and combat vehicles on show

The live displays feature some of the world's most advanced military vehicles. Victor Besa / The National

Live displays at Abu Dhabi's defence fair have showcased the power and capability of some of the world's most advanced military hardware.

Armoured personnel carriers and combat vehicles charged through difficult terrain, while aircraft soared overhead in live demonstrations on Thursday.

The showcase of military power took place at the grandstand of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Many of the world's defence companies had military vehicles on display at the event.

Idex, one of the world's largest defence fair, continues in Abu Dhabi until Friday.

Around 1,350 companies, 350 delegations and scores of military personnel, officials and decision-makers are expected to attend.

the UAE has signed military contracts worth billions of dirhams during the fair.

The country's defence conglomerate Edge also revealed a line-up of 11 new unmanned and autonomous products and systems there.

Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, attends the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition, in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Presidential Court

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Member of Abu Dhabi Executive, views exhibits at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, in Abu Dhabi. Presidential Court

An exhibit at the pavilion of UAE defence conglomerate Edge. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors watch a brass band parade through Idex, at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Defence conglomerate Edge revealed a line-up of 11 new unmanned and autonomous products and systems during the opening day of Idex. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A virtual training system from Apricot, which uses an RPG-7 launcher, at ADNEC. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE's Al Fursan aerobatics team in action. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Exhibits from Indumil, a Colombia-based military weapons manufacturer. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Night-vision goggles on show at the EO Systems stand at Idex, held at ADNEC. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visitors attend Idex, the defence expo, in Abu Dhabi

Han Bing peers through the scope of a sniper rifle at the Steyr arms stand

A model of an S-92 Executive helicopter at the Lockheed Martin stand

Social media personality Marat Sutaev looks at an under-barrel grenade launcher at Idex

Visitors attend the defence expo

Sig Sauer presents its remote weapons station

Military uniforms on display

The Zetros 3351 A 6x6 on display at the Mercedes stand

Hafez Jawabreh looks at a Kilinc 2000 Light handgun at the Sarsilmaz stand

Mohamed Al Marzooqi looks at ammunition made in the UAE at the Edge stand

Didier Bonnet looks through a pair of multi-function binoculars made by Safran

The MBDA air defence systems stand

Visitors view a Titan - GT Artillery platform at the Inkas armoured vehicles stand