Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the 16th edition of IDEX 2023 and the 7th edition of NAVDEX 2023 and the accompanying International Defence Conference (IDC) will be held during 20-24 February 2023 at the Abu Dhabi National Centre. This edition, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the launch of IDEX, is the largest in the history of the event, forecast to attract wider global participation from all continents of the world.

ADNEC Group, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, is organizing the two exhibitions, which provide an international platform to showcase the latest innovations in the international defence sector, and a global forum to showcase the sector's developments in advanced technology and equipment. It is also an opportunity to establish strategic partnerships between major companies specialized in the defence and military industries from around the world.

The Higher Organising Committee of the two exhibitions announced the details of the 16th edition of IDEX 2023, the 7th edition of NAVDEX 2023, and the accompanying IDC conference during a recent press conference. This took place in the presence of H.E. Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee; H.E. Major General Dr. Mubarak Saeed bin Gafan Al Jabri, Vice Chairman of the Supreme Committee; and H.E. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of ADNEC Group.

Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei said: “This edition of IDEX and NAVDEX is of particular importance and is generating great interest as it is the largest in the history of the exhibition at all levels, and comes as a culmination of a 30-years success story. This success would not have been achieved without the insightful vision and unlimited support of our wise leadership, and the great reputation and prestige enjoyed by the UAE at the regional and international levels.

“The two exhibitions are a global platform for decision-makers and experts to learn about the latest technologies and innovative equipment that contribute to achieving and sustaining world peace, and the current edition of the two exhibitions is witnessing a record turnout by major international companies specialized in the defence industries sector, in addition to delegations and specialists from all over the world, which is a testament to the strategic position enjoyed by these events and their role in shaping the features and future of the defence industries sector on all levels,” he added.

“We look forward to welcoming all participants and visitors from all over the world to the UAE, a country of tolerance and coexistence and a home of security and safety,” he concluded.

Major General Dr. Mubarak Saeed bin Gafan Al Jabri said: “With the support and future vision of our wise leadership, the UAE has achieved a prominent position in the defence industry, becoming a destination for leaders, decision-makers, and experts from all over the world.

“The Ministry of Defence’s support for IDEX and NAVDEX is part of the UAE's efforts to keep up with the developments of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, , and achieve a knowledge-based economy and sustainable development in various sectors. Over the past 30 years, IDEX and NAVDEX have witnessed a remarkable development in the number of local and international participants, as well as an accelerated growth in the volume of announced deals, and the number of official international delegations participating in the event,” he added.

“Today, we continue to build on our successes and achievements, where we are witnessing a record participation from leaders, decision-makers, specialists, and official delegations from around the world, as the number of official delegations that will visit the two exhibitions over a period of 5 days is expected to exceed 350 delegations from all over the world, with a growth rate of 191% compared to the previous edition in 2021. The organizing committee, in cooperation with ADNEC Group and the authorities, has developed a detailed and thoughtful plan to ensure that the event meets the aspirations of all guests and official delegations,” he noted.

“IDEX and NAVDEX are accompanied by the International Defence Conference (IDC 2023), on 19 February 2023, at the ADNOC Business Centre, organized by ADNEC Group in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and in strategic partnership with Tawazun Council. The IDC will attract a wide range of leaders, high-level officials, and representatives of defence, security, and academic institutions and companies in the region and the world, to discuss and exchange ideas on the latest advanced technologies.

“The Conference, which is held under the theme “Adaption, Exploration, Transformation: Reimagining Security, Society, and the Human Experience in an age of Disruption”, will attract more than 1,800 participants with a growth rate of more than 25% compared to the previous edition, and will include 4 panel discussions on the economic and social implications and risks of adopting modern technologies, talent development and human capital management, and the impact of technologies on the future of technologies. Defensive operations,” he added.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri said: “The current edition of IDEX is exceptional by all standards, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the exhibition since its first edition in 1993, and this is the largest edition in the history of this global event, which attracts major international companies specialized in the defence industry, as the number of exhibiting companies increased to 1,350 companies, with a growth rate of 50% compared to the previous edition in 2021, while the number of exhibitors increased to 1,350 companies, with a growth rate of 50% compared to the previous edition in 2021, The number of These companies increased by 285% compared to the first edition of the exhibition in 1993.”

“The current edition is expected to attract more than 130,000 visitors including VIPs, decision-makers, and specialists from all over the world, with a growth rate of 209% over the 2021 edition, while the number of participating countries has increased to reach 65, with a growth rate of 10% compared to the 2021 edition and 200% compared to the first edition of the event,” he added.

“The number of national pavilions has increased to 41, with a growth rate of 17% compared to the previous edition, while the total area of the exhibition this year increased by 20% compared to the previous edition to reach 165,000 square metres, and if we compare the area of the current edition with the first edition in 1993, we see that they have increased by 135 times from the original edition’s 1,200 square metres,” he pinpointed.

“Since its inception 3 decades ago, IDEX has contributed to supporting the development of the national defence industries, and the current edition of the exhibition witnesses the participation of more than 180 national exhibiting companies representing 16% of the total exhibitors, while the UAE pavilion is the largest in the event with a total area of more than 23,700 square metres, followed by the Turkish the American pavilions, which confirms the great role played by IDEX in supporting national industries by partnering up with international institutions and promoting their products in new markets.

“The current edition will witness the holding of NAVDEX for the first time in the new ADNEC Marina Hall, which has an area of more than 10,000 square metres, and is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. This has contributed to the growth of the number of exhibiting companies in the current edition of NAVDEX by 206% compared to the previous edition, and the total area of the exhibition increased by 35% to reach 57,000 square metres,” he added.

Al Dhaheri pointed out that this year's edition is unique in having many advantages and initiatives that are witnessed for the first time, and that it will contribute to strengthening the position of the world's most prominent event in the defence industry, as 9 new countries will participate in the event for the first time: Uzbekistan, Ireland, Nigeria, Montenegro, Kuwait, Lithuania, Bangladesh, and Monaco.

Hall 13, with a total area of more than 2,200 square metres, was added to host new exhibitors, in addition to the launch of an additional hall that includes a dedicated startup area, with an area of more than 1,500 square metres, which hosts more than 82 startups from 25 countries around the world, to showcase their most prominent technologies and products, and the launch of IDEX Dialogue Sessions, which attract senior decision-makers in the government and private sectors, in addition to the launch of the IDEX Think Tank program for the first time, which includes closed sessions for experts and industry professionals.

Al Dhaheri thanked the Ministry of Defence, the Organizing Higher Committee, and all sub-committees and partners in the public and private sectors, including Tawazun Council and EDGE Group, the strategic partner of the event, for their efforts to make the event a success and produce it in a manner befitting the UAE's reputation at the regional and international levels.

The current edition of NAVDEX will witness the participation of a number of naval vessels and ships from 8 countries: Pakistan, Bahrain, Britain, Italy, China, Kuwait, India, along with the UAE. These vessels will be on display at ADNEC Port as well as Zayed Port, and will feature many marine vessels participating in the exhibition.

The Grand Stand area at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and the Water Canal area of ADNEC Marina will also witness many live demonstrations of the latest equipment and vehicles, some of which will be displayed for the first time, which will contribute effectively to demonstrating the practical capabilities of these vehicles and marine vessels in various defence classes and applications.

The current edition of IDEX and NAVDEX will host the first edition IDEX and NAVDEX Talks, a series of interactive panel discussions that attract key thought leaders, policymakers, social media celebrities, researchers, and thinkers to attend strategic sessions and highlight the most prominent products, solutions, and innovative technologies that can shape a safe future for all.

For the first time in the event’s history, the two exhibitions will have the Exhibition Overview feature, which provides visitors with insights into the new and enhanced features at the exhibitions and introduces them to the most important inspirational speakers and the latest updates on exhibitors. In addition, the Innovation Track Tour will enable visitors to browse through all the innovative products on display.