IDEX concludes on optimistic note
IDEX Spokesperson Major General Obaid Al Ketbi told a media briefing today that IDEX 201 has made staggering success in terms of the number of exhibitors, official delegations and defence deals.
Celebrating its 10th edition in 2011, IDEX is considered to be the ideal platform within the region for the defence industry to showcase emerging technology, equipment, trends and strategy.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, IDEX ran from February 20 to 24th at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Among the major defence deals signed by the UAE during the five-day IDEX were a contract with Emiraje Systems for implementing C4I command and control system at a total value of US$ 550m and AED 800 million contract with Abu Dhabi Ship Building for purchasing Ram missiles.
Another contract worth AED 600 mn to provide human resources for medical services was awarded to Global Medical Solutions of the UAE. C4 Advanced Solutions bagged a AED 889.7 mn contract to upgrade networks and provide human resources.
The MENA's largest tri-service defence show was opened by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. IDEX was organised by ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company) in association with the UAE Armed Forces. Tawazun Holding was the headline sponsor for the event.
For the first time since IDEX's inception in 1993, exhibitor numbers have gone past the 1000-mark recording 18.2 percent growth over IDEX in 2009, to reach 1060 exhibitors.
Total event space (gross sqm) has grown 14.8 percent to 124,000sqm (108,000sqm in 2009), with IDEX exhibitors this year, representing 53 countries (50 in 2009), including 32 national pavilions (same as 2009).
Net event space (net sqm) has increased 14.58 percent to 43,219sqm (37,719sqm in 2009).
Of the 1060 exhibitors this year, 49 exhibiting companies were located within the dedicated First Time Exhibitor Zone (FTEZ) introduced at this edition.
Also, a new feature at this edition was NAVDEX - a dedicated naval defence exhibition that's being held in parallel, at the ADNEC Marina and connected via a pedestrian bridge to the main exhibition venue. Organised by Clarion Events on behalf of ADNEC in association with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ, NAVDEX occupies 16,000sqm (gross), with 81 exhibiting companies, as well as 4 visiting navy ships from the UAE, the UK, Italy and France.
The UAE has a significant presence at IDEX 2011 with 169 exhibitors occupying an area of 12,260sqm. The largest international country pavilion is Germany (3,595sqm) followed by USA (3,411sqm), Turkey (2,179sqm) and Italy (1,782 sqm).
The largest international exhibitor was Germany's Rheinmetall AG, occupying 1,274sqm space whereas the largest UAE exhibitor was Mubadala Development Company and its subsidiaries, with a 1,870sqm stand. Tawazun Holding occupied a total of 1,662sqm of combined indoor and outdoor space.
The official conference for IDEX, the Gulf Defence Conference (GDC), was held on Saturday 19th February at the Armed Forces Officers' Club. The GDC, organised by INEGMA (Institute for Near East '&' Gulf Military Analysis) on behalf of ADNEC, hosted more than to 400 delegates and 9 international speakers focusing particularly on the emerging threats and novel technologies for GCC defence and security.
UAE offered new defence vehicles, satellite technology and advanced geospatial mapping at IDEX 2011 IDEX and inaugural Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) have acted as a prime forum for the UAE's growing defence industry to highlight new technology. The 169 UAE companies exhibiting are central examples of advanced research, development and manufacturing capabilities from across the emirates.
A number of UAE companies also exhibited in the First Time Exhibitors Zone, benefiting from the exclusive location and visibility the zone offers.
IDEX has historically been a major forum for UAE companies to exhibit their advancements and technological prowess. Each year, the UAE contribution to IDEX grows and the evolving nature of our country's defence and security industry becomes more apparent. This year, with a more than 50 percent increase in the number of UAE participants compared to 2009, the technologies exhibited are becoming a major force in the local and global defence industry.
The show saw major launches by UAE companies the Caracal H type - a high performance single action pistol aimed primarily at the sporting market and developed by Caracal International's in-house design team.
Caracal also exhibited its first line of rifles with both hunting and defence applications.
Exhibiting for the first time at IDEX as a Tawazun subsidiary was NIMR Automotive, the first UAE defence manufacturer to produce a range of land vehicles specifically designed for active military applications. NIMR's vehicles range from 6x6 armoured personnel carriers and armoured patrol vehicles, to heavily and lightly armoured 4x4 command and recon vehicles - all built for high endurance in demanding desert terrain and extreme weather conditions.
Their 6x6 short wheel base platform vehicle, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is the first defence vehicle platform designed and manufactured in the UAE.
Al Hesen, the first Baynunah corvette to be built in UAE by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), was officially inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The 71m multimission ship is the second of six Baynunah vessels being built for the UAE Navy.
WAM/TF