ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR IDEX 2011

The first quarter of next year sees the 10th edition of the largest tri-service defence and security event in the Middle East and North Africa region take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

 

The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2011 will feature over 900 international manufacturers and suppliers showcasing their latest defence technology, systems and equipment at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on 20 – 24 February 2011.

 

Since its inaugural event in 1993, the popularity of IDEX has continued to rise.  Established as a globally recognised tri-service defence exhibition held biennially in the United Arab Emirates’ capital city, year-on-year, the exhibition attracts a growing number of key international military and government representatives.

 

“We have seen IDEX grow from strength to strength, year on year since its inauguration some 17 years ago. 2011 will be our largest yet, as decision makers from all over the world come to investigate the very latest in defence and security technology.” said Mohamed Al Mashgouni, IDEX 2011 Show Director.

 

The previous edition of IDEX took place in 2009, during a period in which a substantial number of nations were in recession. Nevertheless, the exhibition enjoyed one of its most successful runs to date, occupying 108,000 square metres (gross) of event space including exhibition stands, outdoor displays and live demonstration areas. 

 

Officials announced 50,000 attendees to IDEX 2009, including 150 official delegations that attended the official opening ceremony and participated in tours of the exhibition.   Attendees came from 97 different countries with 52% coming from the UAE; 5% from the USA; 4% from the UK and 3.5% from Saudi Arabia. 

 

In 2009, IDEX saw contracts worth billions of dollars signed between ­exhibitors and governments from numerous countries, with the UAE Armed Forces announcing deals worth over US $5Bn.

 

Land defence systems are projected to contribute significantly to this record year with steady market growth anticipated in key areas such as armoured vehicles, battle tanks, anti-armour and anti-air missile systems.  According to Forecast International, these market sectors are slated to grow to US$ 105Bn by 2020.

 

Regular IDEX attendees such as India, China and the GCC nations are also expected to become increasingly central consumers for advance land defence systems.  These nations are increasing defence budgets to modernise their ground forces and are promising to be the fastest growing markets among emerging economies.

 

In Aerospace, IDEX 2011 will feature exhibits of fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcrafts, satellite and surveillance technologies and all support services. Despite the downturn, aerospace has witnessed an impressive growth cycle over the past few years and is a major contributor to the positive growth of the entire tri-services industry.

 

According to Forecast International, industrialised nations worldwide are currently in the process of a major re-equipment cycle, and the long-term nature of fighter procurement programs will shelter aerospace from the effects of the financial crisis. Numerous sources identify the largest growth in the aerospace sector occurring in China, India and the Middle East. In a recent report by Deloitte looking at the 2010 Aerospace and defence outlook, the UAE was highlighted as a key investor in the aerospace sector, with multiple announcements of joint ventures as well as industrial devel­opments for component manufacturing and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO). The UAE was also marked as a significant buyer of defence industry products in the form of airlift; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms; helicopters; tactical fighters; and missile defence.

 

For naval defence, in 2010, Arabian Gulf nations and Western Indian Ocean regional countries, invested an estimated US$ 6Bn in naval and military defence technologies and services. According to advisory Jane’s DS Forecast, this average spending figure is projected to climb to a baseline of at least US$ 6.5Bn annually, until at least 2019.

 

Over this 10-year period, total regional naval spending between 2010 and 2019 is projected to reach around US$ 76.4Bn, with the largest market, India, projected to contribute nearly 65% of this. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are projected to account for another 20% of the total market value.

 

Turkey at IDEX and NAVDEX 2011

 

With regards to Turkey, it is confirmed that 33 companies will be located inside the Turkish pavilion, located in Hall 10 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), these companies include: