Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2025 is expected to draw record participation numbers.
This was announced at a press conference at ADNEC on Tuesday, where the event is set to be held on February 17-21 in Abu Dhabi.
Organised by ADNEC Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council, IDEX will bring together top government officials, diplomats and global companies.
The exhibition will highlight advancements in 17 defence sectors including land, air and sea systems, unmanned technologies, radar and cybersecurity solutions.
This year's edition will feature the IDEX Innovation Trail: an expert-curated recognition programme designed to showcase the most innovative products that are revolutionising the defence industry.
Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for IDEX and NAVDEX, said: "This edition of IDEX and NAVDEX reflects unprecedented global interest, highlighting its growing influence in the defence and security sector.
"This success is thanks to the forward-looking vision and unwavering support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, whose leadership has solidified the country's position as a key global hub in defence and security."
Al Mazrouei added: "These exhibitions also play a pivotal role in enhancing international security and establishing world peace. This edition is witnessing the presence of major global defence companies, high-level delegations, specialists and experts in the sector, reflecting the strategic importance of these exhibitions and their role in shaping the future of the global defence industry."
Major General Staff Pilot Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, said: "I am pleased to share that the upcoming IDEX and NAVDEX will be the largest edition since 1993. IDEX has become a key event in the defence sector, strengthening the UAE's role, while NAVDEX highlights the synergy between innovation and sustainable security, showcasing the latest in maritime defense technologies."
IDEX and NAVDEX have grown significantly in participation, deals and delegations.
The 2025 International Defence Conference will set a record with 1,800 participants, a 414% increase compared to 2015.
Al Jabri outlined the vision behind the event: "This commitment aligns with our leadership's vision to support innovation, diversify the economy and position the UAE as a global leader in the defence industry.
"By organising IDEX and NAVDEX 2025, we aim to strengthen our national defence sector, expand its global network, and solidify the UAE as a key partner in shaping future defence solutions."
The event underscores the need for building strategic partnerships, growing trust, and bolstering international cooperation in defence, in line with the UAE's commitment to innovation, economic diversification and to cementing its global defence leadership.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said: "I am pleased to welcome you to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and share the latest preparations for IDEX and NAVDEX 2025. Since its launch in 1993, the exhibition has seen remarkable growth in size, exhibitors and participating countries. This year's session promises to be truly exceptional in every way."
The exhibition space has also grown by 10%, now covering 181,501 square metres.
"The current session saw over 731 new companies participating, marking a 82% increase from the previous session. In addition, 41 national pavilions are featured, with the UAE pavilion being the largest at 25,000 square metres, a 4% growth compared to the previous session. National companies now account for 16% of the total, while international companies represent 84%," Al Dhaheri added.
213 national companies will be exhibiting, accounting for 16% of total exhibitors, while international companies make up 84%.
Al Dhaheri announced that seven new countries - Qatar, Ethiopia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Cyprus - will be participating.
A new exhibition hall, Hall 14, opposite the grandstand, has been added, featuring 341 exhibiting companies.
Additionally, a dedicated CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) platform, with participation from 38 companies across 13 countries, has been introduced to raise awareness of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.
More than 3,300 products and technologies will be displayed, demonstrating the significant role IDEX and NAVDEX play in supporting the defence industry and enhancing the competitiveness of UAE-based companies on regional and international levels. The exhibitions will also host over 156 start-ups, accounting for 10% of total exhibitors.
Mona Ahmed Al Jaber, spokesperson for Tawazun Council at IDEX & NAVDEX 2025, said that the Council's participation as the "Principal Partner" of the exhibitions, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, reflects its firm commitment to advancing the defence ecosystem and enabling the UAE's defence and security industries.
The participation, she continued, is also an opportunity to showcase the Council's achievements in supporting national industries and enhancing their global standing.
She indicated that Tawazun Council's presence at IDEX will span a 2,040 square-metre pavilion, where it will highlight its key initiatives and strategic objectives in supporting the defence sector and pointed out that the exhibition represents an international platform for exploring the latest technological and defence advancements.
Al Jaber further noted that the exhibition will showcase the latest innovations and advanced technological solutions, and also serves as a hub for collaboration, knowledge exchange and fostering integration with strategic partners across various sectors.
She added that the Tawazun Council, as the government entity responsible for the acquisition and procurement budget system for defence purchases in the country, works closely with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies.
The Council plays a pivotal role in developing an innovative and competitive defence industry base, in addition to its role in setting regulatory frameworks and quality standards, as well as issuing the necessary licences for defence and security products, in line with the UAE's vision to develop a world-class industrial sector.
The current edition of the exhibition is set to witness the announcement of numerous deals and the signing of strategic partnership agreements, further enhancing its competitiveness and solidifying its position as one of the most prominent international platforms.
