UAE proudly displays its wares

Idex 2013: UAE companies' growing confidence in their ability to produce world-leading defence technologies was evident at Idex yesterday.

Abu Dhabi-based Adcom Systems’ general designer and chief executive Ali Al Dhaheri says: "Our manufacturing industries are advanced - Israel and the United States are the only countries who can manufacture similar drones.” Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // UAE companies' growing confidence in their ability to produce world-leading defence technologies was evident at Idex yesterday.

Large amounts of locally designed or created products were on display to the thousands of delegates and visitors at the event.

Among them were defence technologies from Abu Dhabi-based Adcom Systems, whose general designer and chief executive was bullish in his praise of the company's drones.

"Our manufacturing industries are advanced - Israel and the United States are the only countries who can manufacture similar drones," Ali Al Dhaheri said. "Being able to create drones like them means we are also advanced in this field."

The drones' purpose is to aid in disasters, civil use, border control, traffic control and city control, he added.

"We are peaceful people but the drones can also be used in military services and war zones, hence the addition of the missiles.

"The aircraft is built to certified standards from the United States, so the quality, according to aviation, is very high and is used for long-term aircraft use."

In 24 years, Adcom has progressed from building missiles to developing strategic radars and it now creates unmanned aircrafts and advanced communication systems.

The main products the company has at Idex are unmanned drones that fly to high altitudes, can stay mobile for many hours and carry up to 10 missiles.

The largest drone is called "United 40" as it was created in the 40th year of the union of the UAE, Mr Al Dhaheri said. In the future, he is planning on designing and creating a bigger plane.

"It is a blessed name to a blessed aircraft. This drone can carry up to 10 missiles called "Namrood-1" and can fly 100 hours in the air," he said.

Three smaller drones at the exhibition were designed by Mr Al Dhaheri himself. "I am the general designer of the planes and the founder of the company. Since I have a background in science and technology and I have a passion for these aircraft, I developed my hobby into a profession," he said.

"Many other aircraft are found around the world but the United 40 is the new one and we have potential contracts with seven other countries, from the Gulf, as well as Europe," he said, adding that the company had a contract with the UAE Armed Forces.

Elsewhere at Idex, Abu Dhabi Ship Building was launching a new product. The company is a regional leader that builds and maintains naval and civil ships and was displaying the largest Abu Dhabi-built vessel at the naval and maritime security section of Idex, the 72-metre Baynunah-class corvette.

"This is a multipurpose ship and serves in the regional waters of the UAE," said Mohammed Al Ghas, the company's director of services.

The shipwas design by a French company, a process that took two years. The first one to be fully ready is being showcased at Idex. Four more of the ships will be delivered within the next two years.

The company also makes civilian ships for the UAE coast guard, as well as selling them to other countries worldwide.

"We are the leading company in the UAE and the GCC which is able to build these ships, and we are definitely proud," Mr Al Ghas said.

"We are promoting an industry in our country and if we build the ships, we can maintain them. Also, in hardships, we wouldn't need other countries' help."

Many nationalities were involved in the building of the ships but most were Emirati, Mr Al Ghas said.

"Because of Emiratisation, Emirati managers and helping hands made this ship with high quality. We also have a new maintenance sector now where highly qualified Emiratis provide their services to the navy."