Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) today announced that all internal and external areas allotted to the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2017) and Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX 2017) have been allocated and rented out to major players in the regional and global defence industry.

Organised by ADNEC in cooperation with the UAE Armed Forces under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 will run at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 19 to 23 February, 2017.

Referring to the enthusiastic uptake by regional and international defence companies, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group CEO of ADNEC, said: “We are pleased to receive this overwhelming response from major defence contractors across the world. It demonstrates the high relevance both events – IDEX and NAVDEX – have to the global defence industry. The events are graced by representatives from governments, armed forces and key military personnel from all over the world, and serve as the region's leading platform to showcase the latest technology and innovation in this critical sector."

He added: “ADNEC is privileged to collaborate fully with the UAE Armed Forces to develop plans and strategies for cohesive and optimal exhibits. We also coordinate with relevant national entities and institutions and communicate with renowned defence contractors and international companies to expand participation year after year.”

Al Dhaheri congratulated the entire ADNEC team for their tireless efforts in organising the event. He specifically praised the role of ADNEC's marketing department for spearheading the company’s participation in several global pavilions and specialised defence exhibitions worldwide, which served to publicise IDEX and NAVDEX 2017.

Saeed Al Mansouri, Director of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017, said: “ADNEC’s new strategy to hold a separate, dedicated event for the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX 2017) has opened up much-needed space for exhibitors. IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 will significantly benefit from the fully customised 133,000 square metre interior and exterior area available for the mega events at ADNEC.”

The previous edition of IDEX held in 2015 witnessed the participation of over 1,200 national, regional and international exhibitors, attracted more than 101,000 visitors and generated deals exceeding AED18.3 billion.