20000306

Defence firms peddle their wares at Mideast show

ABU DHABI: An array of international companies showed off state-of-the-art warfare gadgetry at a regional exhibition on Sunday, hoping to tap the booming multi-billion dollar Middle East defence market.

"We are a country that is developing and we need to develop our armed forces," United Arab Emirates Defence Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum told reporters after he toured the Triple International Defence Exhibition (TRIDEX) 2000.

"Military equipment is constantly being developed and we must keep up with this development to preserve our national security," he said.

TRIDEX organisers said some 224 companies from 20 countries were displaying equipment at the show, the second to be held biennially in the UAE.

The UAE has invited military officials from 65 countries to attend the exhibition, which ends on March 9.

Officials said Germany, France and Britain were among the main exhibitors.

Brigadier-General Sultan al-Suwaidi, director-general of the show, had earlier estimated that Middle East military needs for the next five years would reach $8 billion.

Gulf Arab states, which control nearly half the world's oil reserves, are among the world's top buyers of modern weaponry. Their buying power has soared in recent months thanks to nine-year-high crude oil prices.

The UAE is involved in long-running talks with the United States to buy 80 F-16 aircraft, in a deal worth $7 billion.

Defence Minister Sheikh Mohammed, who late last year said financial issues were still holding back the deal, on Sunday said all issues were resolved and expected an agreement soon.

"God willing, we will sign with the Americans on the F-16 deal, now that all the requirements pertaining to us have been completed," he said.

Kuwait is said to be close to signing an arms deal which defence experts say is worth $1.2 billion as part of a programme to re-equip its military after the 1991 Gulf War.

The deal, which has been delayed in recent months, is for a command and control system. Major British and U.S. defence firms are the main competitors for the contract.-Reuters