File picture used for representation.
DOHA: A record number of agreements have been signed at the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2018), which concluded yesterday attracting close to 13,000 visitors.
The biggest deal was signed between Qatar Air Force at the Ministry of Defence and Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo and under it, the consortium will supply 28 medium sized twin-engine NH90 military helicopters to Qatar.
The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti.
In a press statement, Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi S. Al Ansari, Chairman of DIMDEX said that “more than 27 agreements and MoUs were signed during the last three days of DIMDEX.
Next edition of DIMDEX will witness military exhibits made by Barzan Holdings, the first defence and security company responsible for empowering the military capabilities of the Qatar Armed Forces in the State of Qatar.” “Barzan Holdings has partnerships with manufacturers, and there will be some of the equipment made in Qatar through Barzan Holdings like light weapons, military vehicles and latter the complicated defence equipment,” he said.
Barzan Holdings (Strategic Partner), signed more than 20 MoUs and partnership agreements with multiple regional and international defence companies, aimed at empowering the military capabilities of Qatar Armed Forces, and enhancing the security and protection of the country’s natural resources.
About the Naval Commanders Conference at the DIMDEX 2018, Al Ansari said, “the conference was held under the theme ‘Building Capabilities in Challenging Environments through Visionary International Military Cooperation and Defence Engagement’ and as we have seen the military operation is not like before it must be done now through cooperation because of joint marine challenges.”
Topics discussed during the conference focused on granting maritime security and access to the global maritime community, building capabilities in challenging environments, international military cooperation, and maritime defence planning and building capabilities, he added.
“Despite the siege, the edition of DIMDEX 2018 was the best compared to the number of companies participating which is more than 180, and compared to the number of countries which is more than 60. Also, some of the pavilions already announced its participation in the next edition of DIMDEX like Turkish and others.”
Commenting on the success of DIMDEX 2018, Al Ansari, Chairman of DIMDEX, said: “It was an honour welcoming and working with industry leaders and Qatar’s foremost businesses that have ensured the continuous success of DIMDEX.”
This year’s edition marked a special occasion as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Over 180 global exhibitors and close to 90 VIP official delegations from 60 countries participated in this year’s edition across the defence, maritime and security sectors, and DIMDEX continues to earn its position as one of the most prestigious maritime defence shows in the region.
