The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) announced the key focus areas for the Gulf Defence Conference 2013 (GDC).

Taking place for the second successive time on February 16, 2013, the event will be held at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi and will focus on regional technology development.

Organized by The Institute for Near East & Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA), the GDC is the official conference of IDEX 2013, forming an integral part of one of the most important international gatherings of the defence and security community in the GCC.

“The Gulf Defence Conference provides an important forum to address developments in the defence industry as leaders and decision makers from around the world gather for IDEX,” said Saleh Al Marzooqi, IDEX Director.

“This year’s technology focus reflects the increasingly significant role of advanced systems, such as unmanned systems and network-centric architecture, in reinforcing regional security. Such discussions are critical to guiding the intelligent development of the industry,” he added.

“This year’s conference agenda has attracted top military leadership speakers from countries around the world that are shaping the future of defence,” said INEGMA CEO, Riad Kahwaji.

Following on the heels of a successful GDC in 2011, GDC 2013 is set to break the mould in defence conferences with over 400 attendees and a top-notch speaker line up.

Panellists and speakers at this year’s GDC will be comprised of flag-rank officers from ten countries around the world including UAE, U.S., U.K, Japan, South Korea and Turkey.

With its technology-centric focus, discussions at GDC will offer a unique opportunity for keeping up to date with the latest emerging trends in defence and for networking with peers.

The GDC agenda will tackle topics related to “New Paradigms in Land Warfare,”  “Future Airpower Transformations,” and “Naval Force Projection and Future Maritime Operations.”

Organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company in coordination with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ and headline sponsor Tawazun, IDEX will take place at Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibition Centre from the 17-21 February, 2013.