Through a remarkable national pavilion, the United Arab Emirates made a significant impact at the 18th edition of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition 2024, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from May 6 to 9, 2024.
The DSA and National Security (NatSec) exhibitions are two of the most significant defence events in the region, attracting 1324 global defence and security companies from over 60 countries.
The exhibition spans an area of 48,000 square metres and aims to showcase cutting-edge products, technologies, and solutions in the defence field.
Supported by the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council and organised by the Emirates Defence Companies Council (EDCC), the UAE’s Pavilion featured several national companies specialising in defence industries and technology.
Among the prominent participants were EDGE Group, Calidus, Advanced Armour Engineering, Yahsat for satellite communications, Avantgarde, Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons, and Al-Jundi Journal issued by the Ministry of Defence.
Moreover, the pavilion saw Capital Events showcasing the agenda of the upcoming International Defence Exhibition “IDEX 2025”.
Advanced Emirati Defence Products and Services
The UAE Pavilion showcased various advanced defence products and services, including electronic weapon systems, armoured vehicles, drones, air defence systems, communications, space systems, satellites, training, and simulation.
Extensive Interest
The UAE Pavilion garnered attention from prominent visitors, officials, and military personnel from Malaysia and various nations worldwide. Over the course of four days, the pavilion attracted numerous visitors who explored the diverse range of Emirati defence and security industries.
Ministry of Defence Delegation
Major General Staff Hassan Mohamed Sultan Bani Hammad, Chief of the Force Development Authority at the UAE Ministry of Defence, attended the inauguration of the DSA and NatSec 2024 exhibitions and met with numerous Malaysian officials during his visit to discuss cooperation between the UAE and Malaysia in various defence domains, alongside addressing common areas of interest.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Bani Hamad, along with His Excellency Dr. Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to Malaysia, visited the UAE Pavilion to explore its wide range of advanced defence products and services.
Supporting International Cooperation
The UAE’s participation in DSA 2024 reaffirms its commitment to supporting and enhancing international cooperation in defence and security. This participation highlights Emirati defence products, facilitates knowledge exchange and explores global cooperation opportunities.
For her part, Mona Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairperson of the Emirates Defence Companies Council (EDCC), emphasised that the UAE Pavilion’s participation in DSA 2024 aligns with the country’s dedication to international cooperation in defence and security.
Moreover, it provides opportunities for member companies to enhance partnerships, bolstering Emirati defence industries’ competitive advantages in Asian and global markets.
Similarly, Hanadi Bin Darwish, CEO of Avantgarde, noted that participation in DSA 2024 within the UAE Pavilion offers an opportunity to gain knowledge, access the latest global technologies, foster international cooperation in defence and security industries, and showcase Emirati technology to the world.
Significant Defence Platform
The DSA and NatSec Asian Exhibitions 2024 stand as two of the largest international defence exhibitions in terms of size and participation.
They serve as a crucial platform for showcasing the latest technologies, innovations, and advanced solutions in defence and security.
The exhibitions witnessed the signing of numerous memoranda of understanding and bilateral agreements between Malaysian and international companies, as well as relevant ministries and authorities in the defence and security industry.
Over the four-day event, agreements worth over 9 billion Malaysian Ringgit were signed with significant participation from the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and local and international companies.
Coverage by: Razi Izzeddine El-Hadmi | Photography by: Omar Abdulla Alshehhi
