H.H. Sheikh Mohammed tours IDEX

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today toured the 16th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi.

His Highness was briefed on the cutting-edge innovation in defence technologies and manufacturing displayed at IDEX and recent developments in the industry.

With more than 1,350 companies from around the globe participating, the 2023 edition of IDEX has seen a 50 per cent growth from the previous edition held in 2021.

The current edition of the event is expected to attract 130,000 visitors, a 209 per cent growth from 2021.

"The impressive defence capabilities of the UAE and the progress of our defence industry reflects our commitment to upholding the values of peace and human unity as well as our determination to maintaining our nation’s sustainable progress and protecting it from all threats to its security and integrity," said Sheikh Mohammed.

He congratulated the organisers on the success of the event, and highlighted the emergence of IDEX as one of the world’s leading defence industry exhibitions over the last three decades.

.@HHShkMohd, accompanied by @HamdanMohammed, visits the 16th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2023) in Abu Dhabi. H.H. congratulated event organizers, and highlighted its growing importance, as it managed to attract more than 1350 companies. pic.twitter.com/6Msfe6MFu0

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 22, 2023

Sheikh Mohammed visited the stands of various participating companies both from the UAE and across the world including the pavilion of Edge, the UAE’s largest defence conglomerate, and Tawazun Council, the organisation mandated to oversee the regulations, standards and governance for the defence and security industry in the UAE.

During the tour, Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

The 16th edition of the event features the participation of 180 national companies, who represent 16 per cent of total exhibitors.

The UAE pavilion, spanning an area of 24,000 sq.m. is the largest at the event.

Sheikh Mohammed met with Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Acting Minister of Defense of Kuwait, on the sidelines of IDEX 2023.

Also accompanying Sheikh Mohammed on his tour were Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; Staff Lieutenant General Engineer Issa Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and a number of senior officials.