Events

23 Feb 2021

Belarus, UAE interested in tighter military technology cooperation

An archive photo

MINSK, 23 February (BelTA) – A Belarusian delegation continued intensive negotiations on the sidelines of the International Defense Exhibition & Conference 2021 (IDEX) on 23 February, BelTA has learned.

Chairman of the State Authority for Military Industry of Belarus Dmitry Pantus met with UAE Deputy Defense Minister Mattar Salem Ali Al Dhaheri. The good level of achieved interaction was noted as well as the existing potential and ways to further step it up. The interest in advancing cooperation was reaffirmed.

Chief of the Joint Supply Command of the UAE General Staff Abdulrahman Nahr Al Marri visited the Belarusian national stand at IDEX 2021 and examined stands of the Belarusian companies that participate in the expo. Dmitry Pantus told him about the cutting-edge R&D products, armament concepts the Belarusian companies had presented. Abdulrahman Nahr Al Marri spoke highly of the Belarusian exposition.

For the Belarusian delegation IDEX 2021 became not only a convenient venue for demonstrating current and upcoming products but an indicator that the Belarusian defense industry has a certain R&D and innovative potential that is of interest for UAE partners. The meetings and negotiations that have been held have confirmed it.

The United Arab Emirates is a rich country with an open market where Belarusian products have to compete with international brands. Countries of this region (the Middle East and North Africa) are some of the key buyers on the weapon market and traditionally equip their armies with cutting-edge weapons and materiel. These days the UAE knows well products made by the Belarusian companies Peleng (fire control systems for armored vehicles), MZKT (special-purpose heavy trucks), and KB Radar (radio warfare systems, including those designed to counteract various drones).