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2023-02-01

Exciting New Features Lined Up for IDEX, NAVDEX 2023

The 16th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2023) and the 7th edition of the Naval Defence Exhibition and Conference (NAVDEX 2023), which will take place on February, 20-24, 2023, are set to showcase a wide range of new features and attract leading participants and exhibitors from the international defence industry.

The most important Tri-Service Defence Exhibition in the world, the upcoming edition of IDEX marks the 30th edition of the event and, along with NAVDEX, these events have become the largest of their kind. NAVDEX brings together the disruptive leaders in naval defence and maritime security, to lead the conversation and progress towards a safer tomorrow.

Held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and organised by ADNEC Group at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, in association with the UAE Ministry of Defence, the events are expected to host high-calibre participation, including decision-makers, ministers and senior officials, as well as industry experts and professionals from all over the world.

First-time Events

New first-time activities are expected to make the show more exciting.

In one such first of its kind, ADNEC will host a series of high-level round table discussions with prominent industry thought leaders and commentators. These experts will gather to discuss recent and critical topics around the defence and naval industries, with an outcome based objective to collaborate on focused industry reports.

IDEX and NAVDEX will introduce IDEX Next Gen, a space dedicated for startups which will enable entrepreneurs to demonstrate their solutions and technologies in the defence and naval sector to leading figures in the industry.

The events will also introduce the Innovation Trail, a focused journey through the exhibition, highlighting the latest products and innovations for the defence and naval community, from the world’s leading brands. Exhibitors will be able to submit their newest and most innovative products and solutions for selection as part of this curated journey, which will attract the interest thousands of international and local buyers.

On the content side, and again as a first of its kind, IDEX and NAVDEX will each feature dedicated free to attend theatres for attendees to learn about the latest industry topics.

NAVDEX Talks, located in the brand new marina hall, will focus on the naval defence industry, whereas IDEX Talks will include sessions that will cover a variety of engaging topics related to the global defence sector. These topics include: Women and Youth in Defence, Defence Heroes and Motivational Master classes.

IDC 2023

The International Defence Conference (IDC) 2023 is set to kick off on February 19, with the participation of a large number of leaders, decision-makers, and senior officials specialising in defence industries from all over the world.

The Conference is organised by ADNEC Group in cooperation with Tawazun Council (Tawazun) and the Ministry of Defence, prior to the launch of IDEX and NAVDEX 2023.

The Conference serves as a global platform to highlight technologies for facing the ever-changing challenges that the world is witnessing and develop security and defence strategies that help achieve world peace.

This year’s edition of IDC will be held under the theme “Adaption, Exploration, Transformation: Reimagining Security, Society, and the Human Experience in an age of Disruption.”

The panel discussions will tackle the economic and social repercussions and the threats posed by wide-scale reliance on modern technology, such as AI, neurotechnology, biotechnology and augmented reality.

The previous edition of the two exhibitions in 2021 was a resounding success, receiving more than 62,000 visitors and hosting more than 900 domestic, regional, and international companies representing 49 countries, along with 35 national pavilions.

The 2021 IDEX edition saw a record in deals worth AED 21 billion, the most in the exhibition’s 27 years of history.

Among the IDEX-NAVDEX 2023 exhibitors are:

Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation will be taking part in the show. The UAE Ministry of Defence recently signed a contract with France that includes purchasing 80 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by the French company to replace the UAE Air Force Mirage fleet in addition to training and maintenance purposes. According to Dassault Aviation, the UAE is buying the upgraded F4 version of its multirole Rafale combat aircraft. That will make the Emirates Air Force the first Rafale F4 user outside of France. The RBE2 AESA radar, Talios targeting pod, front sector optronics system, and helmet-mounted display capabilities will all be added to Rafale F4. Future upgrades of the French SCALP-EG stealthy subsonic cruise missile, ASMP-A nuclear missile with a 300-kilotonne yield nuclear warhead, MICA NG air-to-air missile, and a 1000-kg version of the AASM precision-guided weapon are all integrated into the Rafale F4 aircraft.

Tawazun

Tawazun, which was the principal partner of IDEX, NAVDEX 2021, will be present at the show. Tawazun Economic Council (TEC) was founded in 1992 to support a vision of comprehensive and sustainable economic and social development within the UAE. TEC acts as a key enabler for the development of defence and security industries in the UAE. It provides the needed inputs for the defence industrial development including attracting additional local and foreign capital into the industry as well as actively supporting the SME segment. The Council has enabled creation of more than 90 companies and investment vehicles, covering 11 sectors, including defence manufacturing.

EDGE Group

ADNEC Group has announced EDGE Group as the strategic partner for the 16th edition of IDEX and the 7th edition of NAVDEX 2023.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said, “We are pleased to partner up with EDGE Group, a regional and global leader, to support IDEX and NAVDEX 2023, which provides a platform for showcasing the latest technologies in the defence industry.”

Mansour Al Mulla, Managing Director and CEO, EDGE, commented, “IDEX offers industry stakeholders an ideal platform to display state-of-the-art solutions, generate new business, and discuss the latest industry technologies and trends. With huge global participation, the event provides a unique opportunity for EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, to highlight the huge leaps that we have made in expanding our global footprint, strengthening the UAE’s sovereign air, land, and maritime defence capabilities, and adopting 4IR technologies across all areas of our operations and manufacturing.”

EDGE will showcase its large portfolio of cutting-edge products and solutions, with a strong focus on its diverse range of innovative Autonomous Systems.

Nexter Group

Nexter Group will be represented at IDEX by several of its subsidiaries. By taking part in IDEX, Nexter says it is responding to one of the few defence industry events to be held in the first half of 2023. This exhibition is an opportunity for the Group, a long-standing partner of the UAE, to showcase a varied range of technological products and services. Nexter has been supporting the UAE for more than 22 years in the maintenance and technical support of the Leclerc (XL) tank. The company wants to strengthen this long-term relationship with, on the one hand, the renovation of the Leclerc tank, just as the French army is launching its programme to ensure its longevity. On the other hand, Nexter has reiterated its interest in setting up joint projects to develop new local activities.

Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace has been at the forefront of leveraging the latest digital technologies in the rapidly evolving threat environment. As part of Raytheon Technologies, the company is planning to demonstrate at IDEX how its products and solutions efficiently and rapidly address the priorities of defence partners in the UAE and the region. The company will also display a number of systems to enable multi-domain operations, including unmanned aircraft systems, secure communications and navigation, command and control, integrated avionics, propeller systems to upgrade the C-130H fleet in the region and more.

BAE Systems

On display at BAE Systems’ stand will be a range of capabilities across the maritime, land, space and air domains, including the adaptable Amphibious Combat Vehicle that’s capable of deploying Marines from ship to shore, the unique and low-cost APKWS laser-guidance kit that adds precision to targeting and defeating enemy targets, Herne, the innovative and highly configurable Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XLAUV) that offers a new military capability that enables navies to cover more of the underwater battlespace than ever before, as well as interactive showcases of the company’s space, cyber, electronic warfare, naval and air training capabilities.

On display will also be a new immersive zone. Visitors can enjoy a high-tech experience of the company’s breadth of capability, equipment and services that are all tied together by a digital thread.

Diehl Defence

Diehl Defence is planning to once again take part in IDEX. The company is a leading supplier of air defence systems, high-tech guided missiles, innovative ammunition solutions, as well as special reconnaissance and protection systems.

Part of its product portfolio at the show will be the combat-proven ground-based air defence (GBAD) system IRIS-T SLM. The system consists of the components missile launcher, multifunctional radar and TOC (tactical operations centre). The modular system, which is currently in operation in an area of conflict, offers 360-degree protection of areas as well as high-value targets, such as cities, power plants, offshore platforms and other critical infrastructure, covering very short up to medium ranges.

It counters enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and guided weapons, including ballistic short-range missiles.

Diehl Defence will also exhibit the HPEM SkyWolf C-UAS effector at IDEX. High-Power Electromagnetic (HPEM) systems from Diehl Defence are designed to counter threats from the air by interfering with the control electronics inside unmanned aerial systems through short electromagnetic pulses.

GA-ASI

GA-ASI is all set to showcase its latest solutions, including the MQ-9B SeaGuardian, at IDEX 2023.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian is the most advanced platform of its kind. Many things make it uniquely valuable: it can fly longer than anything else in this category, cover more distance, carry more payloads, handle more missions, etc. But what’s also of note is that it’s not a wholly new airplane. MQ-9B uses proven designs and systems from the earlier-model systems, including the MQ-9A Reaper, but it’s bigger. It has many refinements and is generally more capable in every way. SeaGuardian often carries a powerful 360-degree maritime search radar as well. It completely changes what’s possible in the maritime domain.

LACROIX

At IDEX 2023, LACROIX will showcase its products and solutions in the French Pavilion headed by COGES-GICAT. The company is planning to exhibit its latest SKAPS suite on the export market for the very first time. It was unveiled at Eurosatory 2022 and is dedicated to vehicle self-protection. LACROIX teams will also focus on the latest innovations in realistic training domains and airborne countermeasures.

LACROIX has engineered its self-protection system S-KAPS, based on GALIX-AOS effects, into an open and scalable solution to meet the growing need to increase the survivability of battlefield vehicles. This system, connected to the vehicle’s vetronics, includes threat detection, situation analysis and protection reaction features.

LACROIX is showcasing its expertise in pyrotechnics, the company’s core business, to meet the various challenges of operational preparation. The company has been designing and developing training systems and effects for more than 50 years, with the support of the DGA, to meet the realistic requirements of the “Train as you fight” programme.

Yugoimport–SDPR

Yugoimport–SDPR has concentrated on the development and serial production of new defence products.

Infantry fighting vehicle Lazanski 8x8 with 57 mm RCWS is the most sophisticated, heavy armoured vehicle, developed by Yugoimport–SDPR. The integration of heavy-duty components, special materials and technology led to the development of a vehicle capable of competing with the very top producers in the world.

The Lazar 3M infantry fighting vehicle is equipped with RCWS 30 mm 32V01. It is designed to engage enemy personnel (wearing individual body armour), fire assets and unarmoured/ lightly armoured equipment, perform reconnaissance and target recognition, and surveillance over the environment.

Nora B-52 M21 is the latest version of the 155 mm self-propelled artillery weapon of Yugoimport-SDPR. The 155 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer is fitted with 155 mm/52 cal. ordnance with 23 l chamber providing a range of 41 km with ERFB/BB projectiles and zone 10 propellant charge.

Milkor UAE

Abu Dhabi-based Milkor UAE realised the need to produce a vessel suited for multi-day operations with extended range capability while also being more cost-effective than current inshore patrol vessels. The Milkor IPC was designed specifically for long-endurance patrol operations featuring a unique 12 m catamaran hull design with hydrofoil technology. The vessel, produced locally in UAE by Milkor, has an endurance of up to five days, which is unheard of considering the size of the vessel.

The IPC’s climate-controlled cabin and wheelhouse feature three sleeping berths, multiple USB charging ports, individual storage compartments, a full galley, and head and shower facilities. The wheelhouse is rigged with four shock-absorbent seats (Pilot, Commander, Payload Operator, and Navigator station). This configuration and design maximise the vessel’s functionality, allowing access to critical components, hardware, and systems while providing enough room for the crew onboard.

PIK-AS

PIK-AS group focuses on the development of certified products meeting several military standards. The map reading light of PIK-AS Austria proved that armies trust on the provided functionalities, such as: white light, blackout/colour light, automatic change to blackout light, backup battery, stepless dimming, low voltage alert, EMC MIL-STD-461 approval, shock/vibration approval, combat approved. The LED map reading light became the new standard for land vehicles.

Besides lights, special switches and power relays and connectors are part of the company’s core range. The slave jumpstart Stanag 4047 as well as the 2-pin Connectors are the hidden champions within electromechanical supplies.

Lately, PIK-AS set up a new production facility for electrical components for the military sector.

Embraer Defense & Security

Embraer Defense & Security has grown its portfolio to keep up with the evolving nature of defence and security needs.

In the Middle East, the products being promoted by the company includes, the C-390 Millennium, A-29 Super Tucano, P600 AEW&C, as well as its radars and land systems.

The C-390 Millennium is a modern next-generation military tactical transport aircraft, designed to establish new performance standards and transport capability, with low life-cycle cost in the medium-lift category, being able to carry more cargo on fewer flights.

The A-29 Super Tucano is one of Embraer’s bestsellers in its Defence & Security portfolio. It has logged more than 500,000 flight hours and is currently operated by around 15 countries, including in the Middle East, Africa and Asia regions.

The company has a Radars & Land Systems division to address the ground & aerial surveillance requirements of a force.

Otokar

Otokar’s TULPAR Armoured Tracked Vehicle stands out with mobility, high firepower, and survivability features. It is designed as a multi-purpose vehicle with variants ranging from 28,000 kg to 45,000 kg to meet future global requirements. The vehicle’s perspective of modularity is set to increase operational flexibility by using common components and a common chassis over a wide range of variants. TULPAR comes in several variants that share common subsystems.

The common platform can accommodate a medium tank; infantry fighting vehicle; armoured personnel carrier; reconnaissance vehicle; command and control vehicle; air defence; ambulance; repair and recovery vehicle; mortar vehicle, and other vehicle variants. The common platform design approach provides significant logistic advantages and reduces training burdens.

Having a wide range of tactical armoured vehicles on 4x4 (COBRA, COBRA II, COBRA II- MRAP, AKREP II, URAL, ISV), 6x6 and 8x8 (ARMA), the company’s products are recognised for their survivability and modularity.

CAE

CAE, which trains more than 220,000 crewmembers yearly, including more than 135,000 pilots within its global network of military, civil aviation, business aviation and helicopter training, will participate in the show.

Backed by 75 years of training and simulation experience, CAE’s Civil Aviation business delivers ab initio training programmes for a broad range of licensing needs across commercial aviation, while CAE’s Defense & Security business delivers initial flight training to various military forces globally, including: CAE Pueblo Training Center, NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC), CAE Bremen Training Center, International Flight Training School. The U.S. Army recently announced that CAE had won the competitive recompete of the Fixed-Wing Flight Training Service contract. CAE continues comprehensive initial and recurrent training for more than 600 U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force fixed-wing pilots annually at the CAE Dothan Training Center with option years through 2032 .

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