Warships get closer to defence exhibition venue

Dubai, Sep 25, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- IEX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Warships up to frigate size will get close to action on the land when they are berthed adjacent to the exhibition venue in the forthcoming International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) to be held in Abu Dhabi from February 22-26 next year.

"Dredging of the basin off the Al Bateen Channel to 6 metres will be completed shortly and work is well under way on constructing a 350-metre quay which will allow warships of up to frigate size to berth directly opposite the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the main IDEX venue," Mohamed Al Mashgouni, director of IDEX 2009, said.

The completion of ADNEC Quay will allow warships of up to around 4,000 tons to be integrated more closely into the IDEX.

In addition, the facilities for the traditional marine demonstration will be improved, allowing companies to showcase a wider range of smaller vessels, such as patrol boats and landing craft designed for inshore and amphibious operations.

"The opening of these facilities will allow companies to display, right alongside the exhibition itself, warships and support vessels of a size and type that are relevant to the needs of the navies of the region," Rear Admiral John Tolhurst, the Senior Defence Adviser to IDEX, said.

"This is a most exciting development and only serves to reiterate IDEX's position as one of the premier showcases for systems and equipment for all three defence environments - land, maritime and air," he added.

The Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces has sent invitations to several nations asking them to send warships to participate in the 2009 edition.

The Naval sector is a particular focus area at next year's IDEX.

Besides the naval vessels themselves, the full range of maritime systems, including coastal protection, is expected to be displayed.

The exhibitor portfolio at IDEX includes land, sea and air vehicles and systems, radar, electronic warfare and electro-optic systems, weapons and ordnance, C4ISR, CBRN defence, homeland and internal security, simulation and training, logistics, medical and survival systems and personal equipment.

IDEX also delivers an international audience of key decision-makers from governments, the military and industry, including ministers, chiefs-of-staff, senior government officials, national and international delegations, strategists, analysts, international contractors, systems integrators and service providers.(PTI)

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