41 Turkish Companies Participated at the IDEX 2011 Expo
The 10th International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) took place this year at Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between 20-24 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Despite the negative developments in the Arab world in recent months, the number of companies and products participating in the Expo was considerably high compared to 2009. Idex 2011 was inaugurated by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, a number of other Sheikhs, in addition to 66 defence ministers, 64 chiefs of staff. The IDEX 2011 International Defense Expo at Abu Dhabi saw 1,060 participating firms from 53 countries and aside from 60,000 visitors hosted more than 100 official delegations. The recent political tension experienced in North Africa and in the Arab world also had on affect on IDEX this year. The number and level of official deletions was considerably down compared to previous years. Even though delegation visits and interest was not up to previous years, the IDEX 2011 Expo again witnessed many new collaborations and new contracts during its 5 day duration. While the contracts worth 4 billion dollars towards the requirements of the UAE armed forces took place among mostly UAE firms, the Expo was productive for most participating firms. Many firms signed new cooperation agreements and a show of strength was displayed with new products throughout the Expo.
The10th IDEX Expo also hosted new participating nations this year. Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Libya, Taiwan and Estonia were the nations that took place at IDEX 2011 for the first time. Participating with 169 firms, the UAE with its defense industry and advantage as Expo host was at the forefront at IDEX 2011. Besides this, the United States, Germany, Italy, China and Russia from the participating nations gathered the attention of both visitors and delegations in terms of participation, products and systems. Turkey had the third largest stand area among exhibitors after Germany and the United States. Turkey also secured national participation with 41 firms under the coordinationship of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM). The Minister of National Defense M. Vecdi Gönül, the Undersecretary for Defense Industries Murad Bayar, Turkish Land Forces Logistics Commander Lt. General Eyüp Kaptan and Coast Guard Commander İzzet Artunç participated at the Expo. Aside from the participants and visitors, the delegations also showed great interest in the stands of the Turkish firms and the SSM. The SSM held meetings with the delegations from Pakistan, Malaysia, Germany and Jordan. Aside from this, bilateral discussions took place with the Azerbaijani Defense Minister, the Belarus Chief of General Staff, the Pakistani Minister of Defense, the Qatari Naval Forces Commander and the Head of the Defense and Security Organization of U.K. Trade and Investment (UKTI DSO). Participating at the Expo for thefirst time the Azerbaijani delegation showed great interest in the Turkish National Pavilion.
The Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Sefer Abiyev and the Minister of Defense IndustriesYaver Camalov received individual information from all Turkish firms on their products and capabilities.
NEW PARTNERSHIPS FORMED AT IDEX
New agreements were signed by Turkish firms at IDEX 2011. The Sakarya Missile designed by Roketsan and presently being manufactured under an agreement between the Ministry of Defence Industries of Azerbaijan and Roketsan signed a new agreement which will enable joint production in Azerbaijan. On the other hand, an agreement was signed between the International Golden Group (IGG) and Aselsan in forming a joint venture company. This new company that will start operations in the first half of this year will manufacture Aselsan’s Stamp and Stop systems in the UAE. FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. signed an industrial cooperation agreement with the Al Jaber Group that will take the joint production of the Pars 8x8 Armored Wheeled Vehicle as a basis. On the third day of the Expo, a main agreement was signed between FNSS and DEFTECT in the project for the development and production of the 8x8 Armored Wheeled Vehicles in meeting the requirements of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Meanwhile the Mechanical and Chemical Corporation (MKEK) signed a memorandum of understanding with Azerbaijan that covers technology transfer, joint production and marketing. In addition, the MKEK also signed a cooperation protocol with the Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.Ş. (STM) that will target overseas projects.
FIRST TIME DEBUT IN THE REGION
Turkish firms also made a first time debut of their new products. FNSS’s newly developed and manufactured Pars 6x6 Wheeled Armored Vehicle within the coverage of the Turkish Armed Forces Command’s Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle Project was exhibited for the first time in the region. Likewise, OTOKAR’s 6x6 Armored Combat Vehicle was introduced for the first time in Abu Dhabi. OTOKAR having signed an overseas sales contract before receiving an order from Turkey for the ARMA 6x6 Armored Vehicle was one of the vehicles that drew attention by deletions to IDEX 2011. In addition, Aselsan displayed the 12.7 mm Anti-Aircraft and the 25-30 mm Modular Integrated Combat System at its IGG partner’s stand. Having made a name for itself in the export market, Ay Yazılım drew attention with its driver console at IDEX. As an indigenous product developed by Ay Yazılım, it was not only exhibited at its own stand but also for the first time in an international expo displayed as a sub-system product on another vehicle. The small arms manufacturers of Turkey also drew attention with their new products at IDEX. Sarsılmaz was effective among the Gulf nations with its semi-automatic 9x19 mm ST10 gunthat has the first and only internationally patented parts that is effective under all types of difficult conditions. Samsun Yurt Savunma also introduced its new products at IDEX. Developed close to two years of work, the 9 mm 19 shells, light trigger squeeze and high target sensitivity TP-9 drew attention by visitors and participants. Another firm that exhibited its new products was GIRSAN. The new model MC27 and the MC27E guns as an indigenous design of GIRSAN debuted for the first time in the Gulf. These new models received full marks from participants and visitor alike.
Despite the fact that this year’s 10th IDEX Expo was somewhat pale in comparison to previous years, in general it was considerably productive for Turkish firms and the SSM. The agreements entered, the delegation and bilateral talks held and the products displayed once again put the Turkish Pavilion among the forefront in the Expo and as the last rehearsal prior to the IDEF Expo between the 10-13 May was successfully completed.
The 11th IDEX Expo will take place again in Abu Dhabi in two years time between 17-21 February 2013.
