IDEX 2007 breaks exhibit space records

This 8th edition of the biannual defence exhibition is being held under the patronage of H H Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and with the support of HH General Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

In all, 50 countries will be represented at IDEX 2007, of which there are 33 national pavilions. More than 90 official and military delegations are expected to visit and tour the exhibition.

These delegations have been invited by the GHQ of the UAE Armed Forces who provide onsite escort and liaison services. Reed Exhibitions has expressed its appreciation of the role the UAE Armed Forces has performed and continues to play in the conduct of the military aspects of the exhibition. Military committees were formed many months ago and have provided many hundreds of hours in contacting defence departments as well as valuable input to the organizers of IDEX 2007. This is in addition to the contribution of the Armed Forces to overall manpower and security requirements.

HE Ahmad Al Mazrouie, Managing Director of ADNEC said: 'When IDEX is on - the world watches Abu Dhabi and I feel a great sense of achievement that for this year's event, ADNEC has delivered a brand new state-of-the-art Exhibition Centre. What a magnificent impression we will give as the world sees this fantastic event taking place in such a superb setting. It has a great impact on the exhibition and conference industry. The cost of this structure was eight billion dirhams and will be complete in 2009.'

The exhibition has a long history of growth and has served as a major influence in the armaments decisions of nations located in the Middle East, Africa, the subcontinent and Asia. Officials of IDEX 2007 report more than 32,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor exhibit space have been booked, and for the first time IDEX has had to turn away requests for space that have come in at the last minute from several international defence contractors.

'The exhibition is sold out to every last metre,' was noted in a report issued by Reed Exhibitions. 'Reed Exhibitions are very gratified by the response to IDEX 2007; it is a tribute to the importance of this exhibition on the world stage. IDEX now ranks among the largest international defence exhibitions.'

The overflowing requests from exhibitors can be traced to three main factors; among them the growing importance of the Middle East as an economic power, its strategic importance in a part of the world that historically has seen its share of armed conflicts, as well as the growing trend among nations to purchase high technology weapons systems 'off the shelf' and that have been tested for interoperability and coordination.

Combine these factors with the incredible interest of exhibitors in the new National Exhibitions Centre venue and the stage is set for a sold out exhibition.

The 28,500 sq. m. gross of exhibition space plus an adjoining concourse of 9,500 sq. m. in the massive hall means that there is sufficient space to house all interior exhibit stands under one roof. This feature represents a major advantage for a show the size of IDEX. The main exhibition hall is truly breathtaking, from its marble flooring to state of the art wiring and exhibit support. In one glance, one can almost take in the entire extent of the interior exhibition area. However, with the hundreds of exhibits installed there will be uninterrupted access to exhibitor pavilions and stands by the 40,000 visitors expected to attend IDEX 2007.

In all, 50 countries will be represented at IDEX 2007, of which there are 33 national pavilions. More than 90 official and military delegations are expected to visit and tour the exhibition.

These delegations have been invited by the GHQ of the UAE Armed Forces who provide onsite escort and liaison services. Reed Exhibitions has expressed its appreciation of the role the UAE Armed Forces has performed and continues to play in the conduct of the military aspects of the exhibition. Military committees were formed many months ago and have provided many hundreds of hours in contacting defence departments as well as valuable input to the organizers of IDEX 2007.

This is in addition to the contribution of the Armed Forces to overall manpower and security requirements.

The total count of exhibitors has reached 862. This total is down slightly from 2005, and represents the overall merger and consolidation of the international defence industry. The industry has become more efficient, as countries recognize that buying tried and tested technologies is more cost effective and works toward better coordination of systems than building weapons systems on their own.

This year Turkey is the largest national pavilion, in terms of overall booked space. Turkey has chosen IDEX 2007 to make its established defence capabilities known to the region and to the world. The USA, the Democratic Republic of China, South Korea and Italy have also increased their exhibit space significantly. All of these nations will have high technology military solutions on display.

Live demonstrations are always a popular focal point of IDEX. This year the mobility venue has attracted 29 displays from 10 countries of armoured trucks, personnel carriers, mobile missile launchers, heavy armour and more. The vehicle mobility demonstration shows the off road capabilities of these vehicles before an enthusiastic audience of defence industry buyers and observers. The demonstration requires skilled driving and pinpoint timing. Ten countries-all the leaders in the manufacture of heavy vehicles will be represented.

Live firing will focus on counter-terrorism weapons with ranges of up to 400 metres. Weapons used by police, tactical weapons squads and special operations forces will be demonstrated by seven companies. The Marine and Amphibious Demonstration will once again take place in front of the Grandstand, fronting the exhibition.

IDEX 2007 has a new and attractive venue at the Free Port of Mina Zayed. A fleet of 15 ships from seven countries will visit the Naval Berthing area of the Exhibition. This year many of these ships have been scheduled to visit Abu Dhabi as part of their ongoing deployment in the Arabian Gulf. Among them are two American mine counter measures ships and the largest and most powerful mine hunting helicopter in the US Navy, Sikorsky's Sea Dragon. Pakistan is sending four ships, including a missile boat, fast patrol boat, coastal tanker and submarine. Australia is sending an ANZAC class frigate. France and Germany are each sending a frigate and there are two vessels from Italy, a corvette and a conventionally-powered Sauro class submarine. Four UAE ships will also participate in the naval berthing display.

The new National Exhibition Centre is open and the stage is set for the latest edition of IDEX, the International Defence Exhibition, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.