Several Gulf states are planning to boost their command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4iSR) capabilities in response to evolving regional security requirements, said an industry expert.

'Today’s global political and economic shifts require a rethinking of the Gulf’s defence strategies and greater emphasis on military communications capabilities,' observed Philip Keating, business relations manager of Injazat Defence Services.

'The defence spending in Middle East region is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2014, of which a significant portion should be spent on C4iSR technologies and services to support a more strategic, information-based approach to national security, he added.

The Injazat Defence Services is a subsidiary of Injazat Data Systems, a joint venture between Mubadala Development Company and HP.

The company is showcasing its wide range of defence business and information technology solutions at the Gulf C4iSR, the leading military communications conference and exhibition in the Gulf, which began in the UAE capital on Sunday.

The three-day event will see companies unveil their latest C4iSR technologies, trends and solutions at the Armed Officers Club in Abu Dhabi.

Hosted annually by the UAE Armed Forces, the 2010 conference will feature a new format which will include roundtables by senior UAE military and interactive C4iSR workshops.

More than 120 senior officers from the UAE Land, Sea and Air forces will discuss the conference themes of joint force interoperability, information security, and transformation to network-centric capabilities with regional and international defence specialists and officials at the expo.

'Gulf C4iSR provides a reputable platform for the world’s top defence experts to discuss important directions that the region should take to ensure prolonged peace,” said Keating.

'Injazat Defence Services has invited consultant Matthew Sleap from HP Enterprise Services and Security Consultancy Group, UK, to deliver a presentation titled ‘Effective Information Management To Create a Clear Joint Operational Picture’ during the event,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service