Defence deals to develop Qatar’s armed forces ‘according to grand plan’

 HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani with HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Major General Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah.

By Salman Siddiqui

Staff Reporter

Several defence deals are expected to be made during the fourth Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex 2014) that will further develop Qatar’s armed forces “according to a grand plan”,  says HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs Major General HE Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah.

More than 80 delegations and 175 exhibitors from 53 countries are taking part in Dimdex which opened at Qatar National Convention Center yesterday.

The exhibition  features 20 warships of different classes from 12 countries, docked at the Doha Commercial Port.

“The conference demonstrates the interest Qatar places on its relationships with industrialised countries as well as with other friendly countries,” Major General al-Attiyah said, adding that the exhibitors were displaying the latest weaponry and state-of-the-art equipment from world over.    

Asked about anticipated arms deals, the minister said: “There will be several deals during the fair in favour of the development of the armed forces and according to a grand plan set for this regard.”

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani attended the opening.

The Premier also met separately with  Bulgarian Defence Minister Angel Naydenov, Tunisian Defence Minister Ghazi Jeribi, Major General Tariq Ahmed Siddique, Bangladesh prime minister’s adviser for security and defence affairs, and British Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne.

A large number of dignitaries, including ministers and ambassadors, were present at the opening ceremony.

Major General Mohamed Nasser al-Mohannadi, Commander of Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, giving a keynote address at the opening ceremony, said that Dimdex reflected the “wise vision of Qatar’s supreme leadership, which seeks to boost international co-operation on all fronts”.

He said that Dimdex provided the perfect platform for defence and business leaders to interact, exchange views and discuss solutions for  challenges facing the maritime security of regional countries.

Al-Mohannadi thanked HH the Emir and  Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for his “patronage and constant support which has consolidated the status of Dimdex as a leading event in the naval defence technology, maritime infrastructure equipment and coast and border security”.

After his address, a documentary on Qatar’s past and present and the ongoing developments in its armed forces and security apparatuses was screened.

Later, the Prime Minister toured the exhibition halls and was briefed on the latest maritime technologies and naval defence equipment.  

Throughout the day, hundreds of people from defence and maritime industry, including senior officials from the armed forces and governments from countries worldwide,  visited the impressive array of pavilions set up by major arms companies of the world.

The first day of Dimdex  included an official opening for visiting warships under the auspices of Chief of General Staff of Qatar Armed Forces, Major General Ghaneim bin Shaheen al-Ghanem.

Some of the major companies that have stands at the exhibition include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Rafael, BAE Systems, Colt small arms, Finmeccanica, Karachi Shipyard and Nakilat.

Qatar’s armed forces and National Security Shield also have a stand.

Today, Dimdex is expected to hold the opening of the Middle East naval commanders conference under the auspices of  Major General al-Attiyah.