ABU DHABI: The Middle East’s biggest arms show opened on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, covering a larger area than ever in defiance of the global credit crisis that has hit the weapons-buying power of Gulf states.

From handheld stun and smoke grenades to fearsome armoured vehicles, a full range of deadly armaments is on display in the International Defence Exhibition and Conference on a site the size of around 15 football pitches.

Nearly 900 exhibitors from 50 countries are taking part in the biennial event which has expanded since the last time it was held, in 2007, with extra features including a newly-dredged area of quay for warships and naval craft.

The show, expected to attract some 45,000 trade visitors over five days, kicked off with a military display, including an aerial performance by UAE air force Mirage and F-16 fighters.

Eye-catching exhibits include the traditional US-made M-16 personal machine gun to a British-made Vanguard remote operated vehicle — a robot used to search for and defuse explosives.

On other stands are a wide collection of personnel carriers, including the US-made Humvee, and armoured vehicles, like BAE Systems CV9035 infantry fighting vehicle.—AFP