The International Defence Exhibition & Conference (Idex), one of the world's largest defence shows said its ninth edition is likely to be the biggest-ever since the show's inception in 1993.

Idex 2009 will take place from February 22 to 26, 2009 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The show is organised under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi & Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (Adnec) in association with the UAE Armed Forces.

Idex is one of the world's largest exhibitions catering to land, sea and ground-to-air defence systems and equipment. Idex incorporates the Gulf Defence Conference, which is regarded in international academic and military circles as a top forum on defence strategies and technologies.

More than 900 exhibitors from over 50 countries are expected to attend Idex 2009. The show will take up all 12 halls of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre's 55,000-square metre venue. Over 30 national pavilions and over a hundred military delegations from the Middle East region and around the world will take part.

The exhibitor portfolio at Idex includes High Precision Weaponry Systems, Guided Missiles for Air Defence, Electronic Warfare Systems (C4I), Ballistic Missile Systems, Radar Ordnances, Telecommunications, Vital Vision – Optronics, Ammunition, Anti Armour Weapons, Anti-Mine Systems (Ground/Sea), Armoured Personnel Vehicles and Artillery.

Naval defence is a particular area of focus with coastal defence systems, naval vessels including warships, submarines, undersea defence technology, marine communication, naval electronic warfare and maritime UAVs expected to be displayed.
 
Idex also delivers an international audience of key decision-makers from government, military, academia and industry including senior government officials, defence ministers, chiefs-of-staff, military strategists, industry analysts, national and international delegations, military procurement officials, international contractors, systems integrators and service providers.

Idex said visitors to www.idexuae.ae, its newly launched web site, will soon be able to submit their application to attend the show. They will also be able to plan their visit using the interactive exhibitor list, which will allow trade visitors to browse the list of participating companies or search for suppliers offering specific equipment and technology.

Nearer to the show, trade visitors will be able to download the Idex 2009 preview guide detailing the floor plan, timetables for demonstrations and listings of visiting naval ships and country pavilions.

An online Exhibitor and Marketing/PR manual is also offered as a download for exhibitors. Later this year, requests for accreditation from trade press interested in covering Idex will be accepted via the website.

'We are pleased to announce the launch of the enhanced Idex website. The new website will keep exhibitors, visitors and media informed and updated as we prepare for Idex's upcoming ninth edition. We expect the website to serve as a vital communications tool for our key audiences as they plan their visit to Abu Dhabi next February,' said Mohamed Al Mashgouni, Idex 2009 Director.

The previous edition of Idex in 2007 featured 862 exhibitors, 143 official delegations from 50 countries, 27 national pavilions, and attracted 29 mobility displays from 10 countries. Contracts worth more than Dh2 billion ($545 million) were announced at the show including Dh1.39 billion ($380 million) worth of deals signed by the UAE Armed Forces. Nearly one thousand media personnel attended Idex 2007. - TradeArabia News Service