BIAS-2018 International Airshow Opens In Bahrain With Wide Russian Participation

The 5th biennial Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) has started in Bahrain, with Russian companies for the first time showcasing a joint exhibition of weapons and military equipment, a Sputnik correspondent reported Wednesday.

MANAMA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th November, 2018) The 5th biennial Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) has started in Bahrain, with Russian companies for the first time showcasing a joint exhibition of weapons and military equipment, a Sputnik correspondent reported Wednesday.

According to the organizers of the BIAS-2018, which is being held on November 14-16 at the Sakhir Air Base, there are 70 percent more participants this year there were in 2016. The airshow is being attended by 11 of the world's 15 leading aerospace companies. Four new national pavilions, including those of the United States and Russia, are being showcased at the event. More than 100 aircraft are on display at the airfield and expected to be used in demonstration flights.

State arms exporter Rosoboronexport is the organizer of the Russian exhibition at the BIAS 2018. In total, Russia is showcasing more than 250 pieces of weaponry and military equipment, many of which were used during the counterterrorism operation in Syria.

The Russian equipment piqued the interest of the delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which said it was ready to learn more about the production of Russian companies participating in the event.

"We have negotiations with Russian companies planned � we will see what their offers are," a member of the UAE delegation told Sputnik.

Abdulhakim bin Muhammad Al Tamimi, the president of the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), also plans to meet with representatives of Russian companies.

"I count on holding talks with Russian companies during the airshow to see what production they display, but it is too early to talk about the purchase of some aircraft," the GACA president told Sputnik.

On Monday, in the run-up to the BIAS-2018, Rosoboronexport Director General Aleksander Mikheev noted that the airshow was an opportunity to demonstrate Russia's cutting-edge defense products to the Gulf countries and showcase their unique features.

BIAS is a commercially-focused biennial airshow established in 2010 and held under the patronage of the king of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The previous Bahrain International Airshow was held on January 21-23, 2016.