2005 edition of IDEX poised to be biggest ever

Over 900 companies, from nearly 50 countries are expected to exhibit at IDEX 2005. National pavilions from over 31 countries and around 30,000 visitors are also expected. The previous edition of IDEX which was held in Abu Dhabi in 2003 had 701 exhibitors, from 43 countries from around the world.

"IDEX has grown from strength to strength since its inception and is clearly one of the most eagerly awaited events in the global defence calendar. The presence of heads of state, high-ranking officials from ministries and government departments, important defence manufacturers and specialised technology companies, makes IDEX the ideal meeting point for networking, business deals and exchanging of information and knowledge on the industry" said a Spokesperson for GEC (General Exhibitions Corporation).

A specialised ROTORCRAFT pavilion will also be a new feature being introduced at this edition. The ROTORCRAFT pavilion has received outstanding support from the UAE Air Force & Air Defence, and will see participation from Eurocopter, Augusta Westland, Piaggio, Sikorsky and Denel.
The addition of this specialised pavilion will enable exhibitors to display actual hardware of different maritime, army and police helicopters. The Helicopter pavilion will be supported by the UAE Air Force & Air Defence and the Special Operations Command.

"The flexibility, manoeuvrability and firepower that modern-day helicopters display make them an important component of a country's defence arsenal. As the premier defence exhibition that provides a gateway to the MENA market, IDEX's introduction of a specialised pavilion for Rotorcraft is in line with our constant focus to be receptive to the needs of the market and of our exhibitors, while presenting them the ideal platform to help them derive the maximum benefits from their presence at IDEX", added the Spokesperson from GEC.

In keeping with the new introduction at IDEX 2005, a seminar on "Helicopter Operations in the Arabian Gulf", will also be organised as part of IDEX and will take place on 14th February, 2005. Speakers from Eurocopter, EMS, Flir, Cubic Defence, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney Canada, BMS, Northrop Grumman, Horizon Training, Rolls Royce, SOC Group 18 and Avitronics EW are taking part.
Vehicle Mobility demonstrations will include tracked and wheeled vehicles being demonstrated over the 100,000 square metres, purpose-built arena. Day and night 'live' firing demonstrations will take place at Maqatra, which is capable of allowing the firing of weapons with ranges of up to 25 km, including artillery and missiles.

The artificial channel adjacent to the exhibition site will be the venue for the demonstration of small amphibious naval craft, as part of the marine demonstrations programme. Different types of helicopters from the British, Russian, German and Indian naval ships berthed at Port Zayed, will also take part in this demonstration.

As always, IDEX 2005 will have the naval berthing at Mina Zayed Port, where there will be an array of naval vessels of various types, which will welcome visitors aboard. 14 ships from Australia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Pakistan, Turkey, UAE, the UK and the US are going to participate.

IDEX will incorporate the Gulf Defence Conference, which is regarded in the international academic and military circles as a top forum on defence strategies and technologies, in association with Jane's Information Group.

The IDEX 2005 Exhibition & Conference is to take place at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition & Conference Centre (ADIEC), organised by GEC, the UAE General Headquarters, Jane's Information Group and is to be held in co-operation with several UAE government authorities, featuring companies from all over the world, who will display a wide range of defence and defence related products and services and the latest technologies in this domain.