The curtain came down on Thursday on yet another successful edition of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2015), and the 3rd Naval Defense & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) as well as the 1st edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX)
, with deals worth AED 18,328 billon (US$ 5 Billion) signed over the course of the week across 33 deals.
The 12th edition of IDEX received a positive response from exhibitions, visitors and partners with almost 50% of indoor and outdoor exhibition space sold out for 2017.
IDEX 2015 saw more than 100,000 visitors and 159 delegates participating in the event and conferences. The number of exhibitors soared to 1,200 international and local companies from 56 countries. Filling 133,000 m2 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), IDEX, NAVDEX and UMEX provided a platform to showcase emerging technology, equipment, trends and strategy.
Held under the patronage of UAE’s President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, IDEX 2015 witnessed significant presence from UAE exhibitors with 170 companies participating this year.
This year IDEX saw 6 new countries participating these include: Japan, Republic of Bosnia, Latvia, New Zealand, Slovenia, and Azerbaijan.
The third edition of NAVDEX spread over 3,401 sq meters. It saw 11 visiting, 3 UAE navy ships including the Baynunah, HMS Shoreham, USS Carl Vinson, FS¬ Andromede among others. Visitors engaged with 99 international and local companies from 23 countries participating spread over 7 national pavilions.
Dedicated to the theme of Maritime Security in all its forms, NAVDEX showcased naval defense systems, maritime security equipment, and all elements of military operations from over many worldwide, defense-related contractors. Exhibits included dynamic displays on the waterfront alongside the Exhibition Centre as well as the numerous static and interactive stands within the building itself and across the Arabian Gulf waters.
A key addition to IDEX this year was the launch of UMEX with 33 local and international exhibitors. A major highlight of UMEX was the live flying demonstrations that took place over two days at Tarif in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. Inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser and Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, seven unmanned aircraft took part in the live show including: ADASI S-100 Al Sabr - UAE, Denel Seeker II - South Africa, Insitu/Boeing Integrator - USA.
Supported by the UAE Armed Forces and attended by regional government delegations, agencies, industry, military and civilian authorities, this year’s inaugural event sees the participation of 33 manufacturers of unmanned systems in air (UAVs), ground (UGVs), surface (USVs) and underwater (UUVs). The 2384 sq meters UMEX exhibition space showed a wide range of applications for unmanned vehicles in a range of military and civilian applications with companies participating from 13 countries across 7 national pavilions.
Running parallel to the exhibition were the IDEX Defense Conferences. The conferences explored important industry issues such as the role of future forces, the emerging technologies the military needs to be aware of and how these technologies can be developed. The IDEX, NAVDEX and UMEX Defense Conferences also examined how multinational, cross-service operations are collaborating. Industry experts discussed existing methods of operations, force structures and training before shedding light on new technologies needed for more effective defense sector.
The next edition of IDEX is scheduled to take place from 19 to 23 February 2017. UMEX will also return to Abu Dhabi in 2016 as a stand-alone exhibition and conference.
