IDEX – NAVDEX 2019

16/02/201909/03/2019 Paolo Valpolini

This year edition of the IDEX – NAVDEX Abu Dhabi exhibition, which takes place February 17 – 21, finds the area in a situation similar to that we had two years ago, with the war in Yemen and that in Syria still remaining unresolved problems, while the fight against ISIS progressed and has definitely weakened this virtual rogue state, although such type of threat might resurface in different locations and relatively quick. What have changed considerably are the relations between many Arab states and Israel, and how much this will impact the situation in the Middle East is still to be seen.

For the time being the constant increase of the Abu Dhabi biennial event is still going on, some 1,310 exhibitors being expected, a 6% increase over 2017, split between international companies, 85% and UAE companies, 15%.

This reflects the growth of the overall defence spending in the Gulf region, the trend still being positive, with a possible acceleration following some delayed acquisition programmes, which were moved to the right due to low oil prices that reduced the acquisition power of Gulf countries.

Air, land and sea are equally involved, Gulf industrial capabilities in the defence sector being also increasing, thus more and more contracts are based on cooperation, technology transfer and joint ventures. New areas of business are attracting considerable interest, cyber defence being a good example, a typical dual use technology. The amount of UAE contracts signed or announced during the show might well follow the positive trend of exhibitors and budgets, but to confirm that we will have to wait until Thursday afternoon, when the last announcements will be made. In the coming days the EDR On-Line team will try to keep you informed on new systems programmes and technologies that will be seen at the ADNEC premises in Abu Dhabi.

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