Israel to participate in Abu Dhabi defence exhibition IDEX in 2021

The organisers of the biennial International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) have confirmed that Israel will participate in the 2021 edition of the event to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC) from February 21-25, 2021.

It followed the singing of an agreement between IDEX and ISDEF, the largest Israeli Defence, Homeland Security, HLS, and Cyber Expo and part of the Avnon Group, as the exclusive promoter of IDEX to Israeli defence, security, and technology companies.

ISDEF has previously hosted major Israeli companies from the defence and cyber sectors, such as OSG, IWI, NSO Group, Skylock, Elsight, and others, displaying advanced technologies in several fields including cybersecurity, intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) mobile infrastructure, smart sensors, military and police equipment, and training.

.@IDEX_UAE has signed an agreement with @ISDEFExpo, the largest Israeli Defence, Homeland Security and Cyber Expo, to establish an Israeli pavilion at IDEX and NAVDEX 2021. The event which will take place at @ADNECGroup from 21 – 25 February. pic.twitter.com/npMcgk05qP

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) October 7, 2020

ISDEF will be the event’s agent in the Israel. It will also prepare, organise, and host the Israeli pavilion at the exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The opening of registration for Israeli companies to participate as part of the Israeli pavilion at IDEX is to be officially announced in the next few weeks, reported news agency WAM.

“At ADNEC, we are happy to sign this partnership with ISDEF to introduce a new pavilion to IDEX and NAVDEX 2021. We look forward to working with our new partners, who will help us increase the attendance of both delegates and visitors to this leading regional event. In signing the peace accord between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel, our two nations are opening a new chapter in the business tourism industry,” said Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, managing director and group CEO of ADNEC.

The upcoming edition of IDEX and Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) is expected to cater to more than 1,300 companies specialising in different applications of the defence sector.

“Following the recently signed historic peace agreement, I believe that there will be some amazing opportunities between the UAE and Israeli companies in the business and security sectors. I believe that IDEX will provide opportunities for both countries to gain exposure and a deeper understanding of available technologies from both Israel and the UAE, constituting a significant step towards future cooperation between Israeli and Arab industries,” said Stacy Dotan, COO and member of the board of directors of Avnon Group.

At the 2019 edition of IDEX, the UAE reportedly awarded 104 defence contracts worth more than Dhs20.35bn.

Read: UAE signs $5.45bn worth of defence contracts this week

Around 35 per cent of the deals were awarded to UAE companies, while the remaining were granted to foreign firms to supply fire arms, provide training, and purchase other logistic supplies for the UAE Armed Forces.

The biggest defence contract (Dh5.7bn) was awarded to American company, Raytheon, to purchase rocket launchers for the Patriot system of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence.