Abu Dhabi: The 11th edition of International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2013), and second edition of NAVDEX will be held February 17 -21 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“Idex is the largest exhibition for public security and armaments in the Middle East and is held every two years in Abu Dhabi,” Colonel Khader Al Aydarous, head of Idex 2013 media committee and head of the Media and Communication Department at the UAE Armed Forces, told the Gulf News
Colonel Al Aydarous, added:“This year’s event is different from the previous one. Two years ago, many countries were under the repercussions of the financial crisis and now the number of exhibitors taking part in the event had increased remarkably,” said Al Aydarous.
He pointed out that Idex 2013 is one of the most significant expos worldwide as it helps to conduct businesses and to display advance defence industries.
“The number of companies taking part is 1,112 companies representing 58 countries and 38 national pavilions,” said Colonel Ayadarous, adding that Idex 2013 will provide business atmosphere for international solution providers across land, sea and air sectors.
“Up to 77 ministers of defence , 79 top commanders and chiefs of staff and military delegates from 82 countries will be attending the launch of Idex 2013 and as for heads of state it is a the task of the protocol department,” he remarked.
Theordore Karasik, Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA), told Gulf News that Idex 2013 will be quite significant due to the very great number of participants and the types of defence weapons displayed.
“We expect many deals from African nations with Asian defence industries for conventional weapons as there are many conflicts in Africa and there is a need for such weapons,’ said Karasik.
In 2011, the UAE military concluded eight deals to obtain locally manufactured military vehicles and other hardware, amounting to Dh2.8 billion, raising the entire defence procurements to Dh14.5 billion.
