News

2019-02-01

IDEX/NAVDEX 2019 Set to Break Records

According to Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), indoor and outdoor bookings have been filled for the upcoming editions of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) as the world’s leading security and defence players ready themselves to take part in the silver jubilee edition. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the events will run from 17th -21st February 2019 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Organised by ADNEC in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and UAE Armed Forces, the two exhibitions will feature technology trends from the Fourth Industrial Revolution and AI (artificial intelligence) technologies. Themed ‘Defence for Security and Safety’, the event will highlight the UAE’s leading initiatives in achieving the country’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy central to the government’s UAE Centennial 2071 and the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 of economic diversification, sustainable growth and supporting the non-oil sectors.

Since 1993, IDEX has been a global platform for the defence sector attracting the world’s leading defence and security companies as well as the greatest international experts. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC, confirms that IDEX and NAVDEX 2019 will consolidate their global reputation while contributing to the UAE’s support for national companies in marketing their products and services:

“We look forward to the wide participation of leading manufacturers, defence systems companies, government officials, decision-makers, defence and security leaders and global specialists, as well as major international companies in the coming edition of the exhibition,” Al Dhaheri added.

Although secondary to IDEX, NAVDEX 2019 will bring together industry global leaders to share innovative ideas in the field of naval defence and security, so contributing to consolidating UAE’s position as a key maritime player in the region and a leading hub for shipbuilding, maintenance, repair and restoration of warships. The two parallel mega events are expected to witness the signing of several major company deals between companies as well as agreement on strategic partnerships between different regional and global entities.

Expanded IDC 2019

Held on 14 -16th February at Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi, International Defence Conference (IDC) 2019 is expected to draw the participation of over 1,200 global defence specialists. It is combined for the first time with the Abu Dhabi International Offset Conference (ADIOC) to create a comprehensive global forum for Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) defence and security innovation under the theme of ‘Shaping Our Shared Future: Strengthening Our Security and Prosperity through Innovation’.

His Excellency Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, CEO of the Tawazun Economic Council, explained that the events have been merged to develop a robust defence technological and industrial base to drive economic development in the UAE: “The conference will tackle highly interesting and relevant topics addressing current developments in the defence, security and offset sectors, particularly in terms of strategy to deal with 4IR, innovation, manufacturing and training.”

His Excellency added that the Tawazun Economic Council is looking for the conference to contribute to a comprehensive drive for development, enabling defence and security industries to promote constructive partnerships, facilitate technology transfer and build further capabilities. Indeed, IDC 2019 will feature interactive discussions on four key focus areas - offset, security and stability; the knowledge economy; innovation; and artificial intelligence - while strengthening the leading status of the UAE as a global hub for such specialised conferences.

His Excellency Staff-Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX 2019, said: “The arrival of 4IR and its advanced technologies, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, requires devising innovative strategies to utilise its high-tech capabilities in an optimal manner to ensure global stability, security and peace. Every advance in science and technology brings with it a wealth of opportunities and challenges that need addressing – and that is the objective of IDC 2019.”

His Excellency added that: “We attribute the significant growth of IDC, IDEX and NAVDEX, and their ability to keep pace with the latest developments in the defence industry to the guidance of our wise leadership, whose strategic vision continues to inspire our current and future generations.”

According to Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), the event organiser: “The new format of IDC demonstrates the breadth of our strategic collaboration with our partners in the defence industry. Through merging IDC with ADIOC into one event, we seek to create an integrated platform that combines economic, defence and security disciplines with innovation to enable us to reap the full benefits of 4IR and enhance the global significance of this conference while fulfilling the urgent need to provide a holistic international perspective.”IDC 2019 will also be a precursor to the biennial 2019 edition of IDEX/NAVDEX.

Spotlight on AI
Of all the technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, artificial intelligence has garnered the most attention with its revolutionary potential for the future of military, security and intelligence-related capabilities.

Most discussions of future military uses of Artificial Intelligence typically focus on the following applications or mission areas: enhancing the capacity for better data collection through facial, voice and emotional recognition; managing and processing information and intelligence; determining the nature of the cyber competition; and, increasingly, monitoring populations and assessing individuals’ ‘social credit’, similar to the system currently being developed and deployed in China.

All the same, the most commonly discussed area of AI impact in the military context is the future of weapons systems, particularly the development of drone swarms and autonomous weapons. The combination of development of AI and the rapid proliferation of unmanned technologies will enable the use of unmanned swarms consisting of dozens or more (potentially hundreds) of linked unmanned systems, operating across air, ground, sea surface and undersea.

Although humans will likely provide the broad parameters of the mission that these swarms carry out, the swarm itself will have the capacity to cognitively adapt to adversary counter-measures and a changing operational environment. The concepts and technology behind drone swarms is maturing and is already being tested by China and the United States; for instance, in late May 2018, China’s Yunzhou Intelligence Technology performed a swarming demonstration of 56 unmanned surface vehicles, showing that progress in swarming technologies is not limited to unmanned aerial systems.

AI will also enhance the ability of individual weapon systems to operate with autonomy and agility on the battlefield. With the potential to increase the cognitive capability behind weapons systems, AI enables a response to dynamic and complex environments, so increasing the range of situations to which the weapon system can respond.

Without doubt then, effective development of AI applications to support these functions offers much promise for emerging and established defence industry providers. AI programmes are being considered and pursued in nearly every component of military activity, meaning that demand for a diverse set of applications and for technically competent firms to provide effective AI is likely to be strong and durable.

Discussion of AI Challenges

However, there are also risks associated with AI development and governance of the applied technology to address a broader range of military and security challenges. Strong and understandable ethical concerns have already been discussed surrounding overly diffusive surveillance systems that rely on AI alongside autonomous and, in some quarters, even semi-autonomous weapons systems. There is also a persistent worry that AI will be diffused to actors seeking to use the technologies maliciously in cyber-attacks or in support of operations aiming to destabilise official systems.

Moreover, the parameters of the competitive environment in this emerging market is still uncertain. Referenced from above, a small group of states led by the United States and China are moving far and fast down the road of militarising AI technologies, so opening up the possibility of forming a small number of competing centres of gravity in military and security AI development around which other states will align.

Alternatively, the possibility of wider proliferation of AI technologies through commercial and applied research channels and defence industry partnerships could create a more diffuse and competitive market environment. The need both to progress and to balance these competitive, technological and even ethical risks will be central to industry and government efforts to harness this disruptive technology to ensure future security and prosperity.

Record NAVDEX Participation

The next edition of NAVDEX 2019 will be held concurrently with IDEX from 17th-21st February. Moreover, the number of participating military units for NAVDEX is expected to increase by 66 per cent to 20 units from 15 countries, while the hardware exhibited on display will range from frigates, supply vessels and transport vessels to naval minehunters and naval patrol boats.

The 2019 edition will also see the debut participation of four countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and South Korea. A transportation shuttle will link events held in the exhibition site and marine channel with the free port area where large ships will be docking. This year, the exhibition will also open up ships for visitors wanting to climb aboard and learn about their capabilities.

In conclusion, NAVDEX, one of the most important maritime defence exhibitions in the Middle East, is expected to showcase the advanced maritime defence systems in addition to displaying marine defence units and equipment. More than 100 companies will be on site to present their sophisticated products to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the exhibition for deals or partnerships between international companies.

His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Higher Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX 2019, was clear that: “The significance of NAVDEX as an international exhibition specialised in maritime defence is steadily increasing. The maritime defence sector is witnessing rapid development in terms of modern innovations and advanced technologies that compels professionals and personnel in this strategic sector to stay informed of the latest developments and technologies in maritime systems and equipment. NAVDEX offers that opportunity.”

For his part, Hamid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), concluded that: “ADNEC has worked on placing appropriate emphasis on the development of NAVDEX by expanding and developing the infrastructure of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre marine channel to increase the space allocated for presentations by 20 per cent to reach approximately 40,000 square metres. This allows us to provide an ideal platform for participating companies to display their products and meet their needs, both in the exhibition halls and through ADNEC marine channel.”

Al Dhaheri made the point that: “The unprecedented interest shown by specialised global defence firms to participate in the upcoming editions of NAVDEX is the outcome of our comprehensive strategy which involved intensive marketing efforts to promote the exhibition at major international events. This has helped us attract several international companies that will mark their debut participation or expand presence in the forthcoming edition.”

Key Exhibition Sponsorship

Finally, Al Dhaheri also noted that NAVDEX is a real platform for the latest products in the maritime defence sector thanks to the global participation of delegations and dignitaries as diverse as leaders of armies, decision-makers and those interested in maritime affairs. This level of participation is reflected in the commitment of exhibitors, adding value to this vital sector.

NAVDEX 2019 is sponsored by a group of national companies regarded as specialists in the defence industry; most notably the Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC) as the strategic partner of the IDEX and NAVDEX 2019 exhibitions. In addition, the Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company (ADSB) is the main partner of NAVDEX 2019.

The 2019 editions of NAVDEX and IDEX are expected to be the largest in their history as IDEX sets out to mark its silver jubilee. The previous edition of the exhibitions saw a huge turnout, with more than 1,235 exhibitors from 57 countries participating and agreements worth over AED 19.1 billion signed to make it the most successful season of the event, with more than 105,000 visitors from around the world covered by more than 1,000 local and international media representatives paving the way for the signing of strategic deals with a combined value of AED 19.17 billion.

Reference Text/Photo:www.idexuae.ae

Comments () Views (4047 ) Print

Send To Friend