A significant boost to International Defence Exhibition & Conference's (Idex) upcoming ninth edition, warships up to frigate size will berth adjacent to the exhibition venue in Abu Dhabi.
Idex will be held from February 22-26 next year at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) in association with the UAE Armed Forces.
One of the world’s largest defence shows, Idex is held biennially under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE president, Abu Dhabi ruler and supreme commander of the UAE armed forces.
“We are very pleased to confirm that the dredging of the basin off the Al Bateen Channel to 6 metres will be completed shortly," said Mohamed Al Mashgouni, Idex 2009 Director.
"Work is well under way on constructing a 350-metre quay which will allow warships of up to frigate size to berth directly opposite the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the main Idex venue," he noted.
"The previous eight editions of Idex have seen warships having to dock at Port Mina Zayed, some 20 kilometres from the main Idex exhibition venue."
"Next year, however, the naval element of Idex will be significantly enhanced, allowing companies the opportunity to demonstrate their products on board the visiting warships as well as on their stands. The ships will, thus, be very much a key part of this exhibition," noted Al Mashgouni.
The completion of Adenc Quay will allow warships of up to around 4,000 tons to be integrated more closely into Idex.
In addition, the facilities for the traditional marine demonstration will be improved, allowing companies to demonstrate a wider range of smaller vessels, such as patrol boats and landing craft designed for inshore and amphibious operations.
“Adnec is fully committed to ensuring the success of next year’s Idex. In addition to doubling exhibit space at the venue, we have made considerable investments in enhancing the facilities on-site,” said Adnec Group CEO, Simon Horgan.
He said that the quay that is being built will be linked to the Adnec by a footbridge for easier access to all participants.
Rear Admiral John Tolhurst, the senior defence adviser to Idex, said: "The opening of these facilities will allow companies to display, right alongside the exhibition itself, warships and support vessels of a size and type that are relevant to the needs of the navies of the region."
"This is a most exciting development and only serves to reiterate Idex’s position as one of the premier showcases for systems and equipment for all three defence environments - land, maritime and air," he added.
The chief-of-staff of the UAE Armed Forces has sent invitations to several nations asking them to send warships to participate in the 2009 edition.
The Naval sector is a particular focus area at next year’s Idex. Besides the naval vessels themselves, the full range of maritime systems, including coastal protection, is expected to be displayed.
The exhibitor portfolio at Idex includes land, sea and air vehicles and systems, radar, electronic warfare and electro-optic systems, weapons and ordnance, C4ISR, CBRN defence, homeland and internal security, simulation and training, logistics, medical and survival systems and personal equipment.
Idex also delivers an international audience of key decision-makers from governments, the military and industry, including ministers, chiefs-of-staff, senior government officials, national and international delegations, strategists, analysts, international contractors, systems integrators and service providers. -TradeArabia News Service