The ongoing International Defence Exhibition & Conference (Idex) and Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex) in Abu Dhabi has served as a major forum for a number of alliances and finalisation of expansion plans.

Idex 2011, which opened on February 20 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is running in parallel with Navdex, and both events will conclude today (February 24).

FNSS of Turkey entered into a partnership with Al Jaber Group of the UAE to produce wheeled armoured vehicles for the UAE Armed Forces, while the Higher College of Technology has teamed with Johns Hopkins University to boost its masters engineering programme.

Rockwell Collins, a major supplier of aircraft electronics to the military, has announced its expansion to the GCC with the opening of offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

With dignitaries including 66 defence ministers, 64 chiefs of staff, top commanders, VIP guests and leaders from the world defence industry being present on site, Idex and Navdex have also helped cement bilateral and multilateral relationships that reach beyond business, a statement said.

“We view Idex as more than a central forum for our defence industry,” said Lufti Varoglu, department head in the Turkish national pavilion at Idex. “What we are after are positive and strong political relationships with the UAE and GCC nations as partners in defence.”

In building on this theme, a representative for the South African pavilion noted: “Who we choose to work with absolutely helps us to strengthen international relationships. In this way, Idex is an extremely valuable forum for positive diplomatic interaction. The exhibition helps us to establish and maintain valuable bonds not only in the GCC, but on a global level.”

“The Ukrainian pavilion was pleased to welcome high level representatives and delegates,” said Andriy Kusmiu, press officer for UKRSPECEXPORT. “Since 1997 our industries have viewed Idex as an excellent forum to showcase our latest technologies while building strong business and cross-border relationships.”

“With Idex growing each year in terms of exhibitors, visitors and official delegations, there is little doubt its role as a forum for establishing and strengthening relationships will only expand in the coming editions,” said Major General Obaid Al Ketbi, head of committees and spokesman for Idex 2011. – TradeArabia News Service