UAE buys Russia’s Kornet, Pantsir missile systems

The United Arab Emirates’ Armed Forces have purchased Russia’s Kornet-EM anti-tank missile systems and Pantsir surface-to-air missile systems, UAE Brigadier General Mohammed Hassaini told TASS on Sunday.

"The contract on Kornet-EM is to the tune of 146.92 mln dirham ($39.7 mln) and on Pantsir - more than 45 mln dirham ($12.1 mln)," he said speaking about the outcome of the first day of the IDEX-2019 international defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi.

The general gave no other details of the deal.

The CEO of Russian defence giant Rostec State Corporation has described his company’s relations with its Emirati counterparts as progressively developing at both the "military and civilian levels."

Speaking to the Emirates news Agency (WAM) on the second day of the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), Sergey Chemezov, cited the UAE-Russian collaboration on the successful operation of the Russian’s Pantsir-S1 missile system as "a prime example for the continuing collaboration between the two sides.

"The system is very much in demand all over the world, The UAE is successfully operating the system and has commissioned it; we received a request from UAE to modernise it. The collaboration between the two sides has borne fruit."

Russia`s newest Pantsir-ME naval air defence (AD) system was officially unveiled at the IDEX.

The Pantsir-ME is the only naval AD system that integrates artillery systems, missiles, and a command and control device into a single combat station. The new weapon features a multichannel C2 device and is designed to engage combat fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

It can engage an aerial group that comprises up to four targets conducting a divided air attack. It should be mentioned that the system can be mounted on naval ships with a displacement of 300-500 tonnes.

Chemezov highlighted his company’s armoured Aurus limousine, which is on display at IDEX, as another example indicating the Russian state company’s readiness to co-operate with its "middle East partners in the widest range of civilian areas, from digitalisation of various spheres and industries to technological partnerships.

"Rostec has contributed both technologically and financially to the Aurus limousine. I am sure that UAE will appreciate this car, which has safety as one of its key characteristics."

Chemezov, who is also the board Chairman of several large Russian organisations, underlined the significant presence of Russian companies during the region’s premier defence event: "Fifty enterprises of the Russian defence industry are showcasing their developments during . We are presenting a total of about 1,000 exhibits, with a number of weapon and military equipment models which are being shown for the first time ever."