Abu Dhabi receives the largest defense exhibition and weapons in the Middle East

IDEX, the largest defense exhibition and weapons in the Middle East, held in Abu Dhabi until Thursday. An exhibition that grows in a region that has the means. The Emirates have a small population, but they are among the biggest buyers of arms in the region after Saudi Arabia.

Guns, combat aircraft and armored vehicles that pass the applause, the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East was also an opportunity to celebrate some good deals. 17 contracts signed with the UAE armed only were announced Monday, February 18. No less than $ 1.4 billion in total, of which nearly half went to U.S. companies. A beautiful hand also Russian missiles and laser-guided rockets Turkey.

Sine of an epochal change, emerging countries are not only buyers but also manufacturers. IDEX is not the preserve of Western companies.

"Today, says Laetitia Blandin French Nexter group, there are many actors in the show as exhibitors IDEX. And most importantly, we see the emergence of new actors who are more numerous with very large houses and large stands: the Chinese, the Turks and of course Emiratis. Today they offer ranges that are accomplished. There are serious players in front of us. "


On the 1100 exhibitors, more than 10% are UAE, as the group Tawazun, Moubadala or shipbuilder ADBS. Abu Dhabi, the last few years, wants to develop its own defense industry.