Bahrain is set for top defence expo, 180 firms to showcase hi-tech products
HI-TECH products from more than 180 companies in the world will be showcased at one of the biggest defence exhibitions in the region.
A record number of exhibitors have signed up so far for the Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BIDEC) being held from October 28 to 30.
Organisers are now offering space outside the venue to meet the increasing demand.
The biennial event, under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Sanabis.
Exhibitors
Nineteen exhibitors from Bahrain are taking part including Asry, Building Defence Systems, Sniper Trading, BDF and the Interior Ministry, among others.
The largest delegation is from the US featuring 36 companies, including Lockheed Martin, Airborne Systems and Bell, among others.
From the Gulf countries, 14 exhibitors are from the UAE, three from Saudi Arabia and one is from Oman.
“Our goal for BIDEC 2019 was to increase the exhibition space to fill both halls of the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre,” Clarion Events Middle East managing director Thomas Gaunt told the GDN.
“We are very pleased to announce that we have achieved our goal and there will be some exhibits outside too.
“Visitors to BIDEC 2019 will have full access to two halls of exhibitors, the popular off-site activities and also the Middle East Military Technology Conference (MEMTEC) being held at the Exhibition Centre, and there is still no cost to attend.”
The event is being supported by the BDF and organised by Clarion Events, and will be attended by top military thinkers and defence experts from around the world.
The MEMTEC, which will be held alongside the event, will feature different sessions on cyber defence strategies, developing simulation models for future war force and impact of military technology on regional conflicts.
Sessions
Other sessions cover advances in Artificial Intelligence on armed forces and future of Middle East defence procurement.
The list of speakers who will be chairing the above sessions has been announced and posted on the BIDEC website.
This includes GCC Secretary General Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, Egyptian Minister of State for Military Production Major General Mohammed El Assar, senior adviser for security co-operation and director for United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Bilal Saab, among other experts.
More than 10,000 people from all over the world are expected to attend the event, that also features off-site activities available at the BIDEC, including military vehicle demonstrations, parachute demonstrations and warship displays.
The GDN reported previously that new firearms and ammunition will be tested on indoor and outdoor shooting ranges in Bahrain.
The sniper and night-vision shooting demonstration will take place at purpose-built facilities on the Bahrain National Guard grounds, while each day of the conference will witness at least 50 jumpers, with all the jumping done according to UK standards and regulations.
Another display will feature the most technologically advanced warships and naval fleets at the Mina Salman Port.
Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/607527
