IDEX in Abu Dhabi, 824,000 Chinese tourists hit Dubai in 2024, MOFA Spokesman on Syria, Abu Dhabi Econ Delegation to PRC, BYD battery storage deal with Saudi
Idex 2025: Naval and military firms head to Abu Dhabi for Middle East's biggest defence expo - The National. The big story in Abu Dhabi this week is IDEX, the annual International Defense Exhibition and Conference.
More than 150,000 visitors are expected through the doors during the week-long event, where more than 1,565 exhibitors from around the world will be in attendance. Featuring 41 country pavilions across more than 180,000 square metres of exhibition space, Idex will gather decision-makers, industry leaders and top companies to explore the future of maritime defence and security…
More than 3,300 products and technologies will be displayed at the event. The exhibitions will also host more than 156 start-ups, accounting for 10 per cent of total exhibitors.
I haven’t been yet but hope to stop in tomorrow between meetings. It’s always a massive event and naturally China’s presence has become a focal point. During the 2023 IDEX China’s biggest-yet arms sale to the UAE was announced, a contract for 12 L15 training jets with the option for 36 more. At the same IDEX they also announced Chinese Aeronautical Establishment and the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) were establishing the UAE Joint Lab, “with the aim of working with Arab countries to explore aerospace cooperation...The two sides will focus on basic, utility and frontier technologies, carry out aviation research and development as well as talent cultivation, and build a technology cradle overseas.” So a lot of folks in town are watching closely this week for other splashy announcements. Watch this space….
