The 13th edition of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2017) and the 4th edition of the Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX 2017) are set to draw the participation of 1,235 specialized local and international companies in the defense industry. This represents a 3% growth compared to 2015, when 1,200 companies attended with signed deals amounting to well over AED18.3 billion (US$ 5 billion).
Organized under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the parallel biennial events will run at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 19 to 23 February 2017.
H.E. Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017, made the announcement at a press conference at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Also present were Major-General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al Balushi, Deputy Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), and Saeed Al Mansouri, Director of IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017.
Staff Major General Pilot Al Mazrouei said: “I extend my sincere gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his patronage of the event that has contributed to its continued success on the regional and international levels. I also thank H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his sustained support, and H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his valuable guidance.”
“Over the next week, Abu Dhabi will be the center of international attention as IDEX and NAVDEX convene thousands of dignitaries and prominent decision makers from all over the world to participate in the event and its associated activities,” he added.
H.E. Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei said: “I am confident that this year, IDEX and NAVDEX will be even better than the previous editions, given the overwhelming response they have generated in terms of the number of participants, delegates and defense experts as well as the representation of major international companies.”
He revealed that the first day of the events will host spectacular live demonstrations by military personnel showcasing the capabilities of the UAE’s cutting-edge defense equipment.
For his part, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri said: “ADNEC has worked closely with the Higher Organizing Committee to finalize the preparations for the mega event in a manner befitting the status and reputation of the UAE. This year’s editions of IDEX and NAVDEX are set to be the largest and most remarkable since their inception.”
“Since its inaugural edition in 1993, IDEX has grown from strength to strength. We have witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of participants and visitors as well as the exhibition and demonstration area. The first edition 24 years ago hosted only 350 companies from 34 countries, with the total exhibition space not exceeding 12,000 square meters,” he added.
Al Dhaheri noted that the number of participating nations has increased to 57 with the addition of 10 new ones this year.
Addressing the topic of NAVDEX, he added: “The 4th edition of NAVDEX will host over 99 specialized naval defense companies from 27 countries, which represent an increase of 17% over the number of countries in 2015. The event will showcase live demonstrations of naval vessels at the purpose-built demonstration track within ADNEC’s marine facility and Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi.”
IDEX Conference 2017, will be held ahead of the exhibition on 18 February at the headquarters of the National Archives in Abu Dhabi under the theme “Disrupting Innovation in Defense and Security” and will include three keynote sessions.
