ABU DHABI — The fourth day of the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2021 has seen the United Arab Emirates' armed forces sign 24 new deals, worth 2.140 billion dirhams , with local and international companies. The cumulative value of deals signed at IDEX and NAVDEX is now 20.053 billion dirhams ($5.46 billion).

Staff Brigadier-General Mohammed Al Hassani, Official Spokesperson of the IDEX and NAVDEX exhibitions, said: "The total amount of deals with UAE companies amounted to 1.42 billion dirhams, which accounts for 66 percent of the total deal value, while the total amount of deals with international companies amounted to 720 million dirhams, or 34 percent of the total deal value.

"A total of 18 contracts were awarded to UAE companies, while six deals were agreed with international companies," he added.

The deals were announced during a press conference held on Wednesday in the presence of UAE's Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli and Lieutenant-Colonel Sarah Al Hajri, spokespersons for IDEX and NAVDEX 2021.