Abu Dhabi hosts international trade show of military drones
Posted February 25, 2018 6:00 am
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - The United Arab Emirates is hosting a stand-alone trade show featuring military drones, showing the power these weapons have across the Middle East.
The Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference is being held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.
Top UAE officials, including Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, were on hand for the event, which opened on Sunday.
Among the top companies in attendance was General Atomics, a San Diego-based defense contractor known for its Predator drones. The UAE previously purchased some $200 million worth of surveillance-only Predator drones.
Also on hand was Chinese firm Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Defense analysts believe the UAE has purchased weaponized drones from that Chinese manufacturer.
A model of a Wing Loong II weaponized drone hangs above the stand for the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp. at a military drone conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday opened a stand-alone trade show featuring military drones called the Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference, showing the power the weapons have across the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
The Associated Press
An unmanned helicopter drone AV500 and a painting of a drone are seen at the stand for the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp. at a military drone conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday opened a stand-alone trade show featuring military drones called the Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference, showing the power the weapons have across the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
The Associated Press
A model of a General Atomics Predator XP drone hangs on display at a drone conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday opened a stand-alone trade show featuring military drones called the Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference, showing the power the weapons have across the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
The Associated Press
An Emirati in the national dress stands near a General Atomics Predator XP drone on display at a drone conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday opened a stand-alone trade show featuring military drones called the Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference, showing the power the weapons have across the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
The Associated Press
A visitor to a drone conference looks at a machinegun-carrying ground drone made by Serbian firm YugoimportâSDPR J.P. in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday opened a stand-alone trade show featuring military drones called the Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference, showing the power the weapons have across the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
The Associated Press
A woman fires an HK MP5 submachine gun in a simulator by Saab at a drone conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday opened a stand-alone trade show featuring military drones called the Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference, showing the power the weapons have across the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
The Associated Press
A visitor to a drone conference tries out a parachute simulator in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday opened a stand-alone trade show featuring military drones called the Unmanned Systems Exhibition & Conference, showing the power the weapons have across the Middle East. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
The Associated Press
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