2nd Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition kicks off in Baku
By Amina Nazarli
The 2nd Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition, ADEX 2016 opened at the Baku Expo Center on September 27.
The exhibition is a grand display of modern weaponry and equipment, the show of the force and power of the Azerbaijani military-industrial complex. ADEX is being held for only the second time, but it has already become the largest exhibition in the region.
President Ilham Aliyev sent a message to the participants of the Exhibition, welcoming the guests on the occasion.
“In our ever-changing world where globalization has received a wide scope, states are intensely faced with security challenges. Among the implemented measures in this direction, relevance of issues of military-technical cooperation, the exchange of modern technologies and security features, have been steadily increasing,” he said.
“Currently, Azerbaijan is a country with the largest military potential in the region. The first prestigious international defence exhibition in the region was also held in Baku,” he said. “I am confident that the exhibition, the participants of which you are, as an authoritative platform for discussion of issues of military-technical cooperation, will open the way to new approaches that meet modern security challenges, in particular, important initiatives in the field of defence industry, and identify new opportunities.”
Immense interest was shown at the first exhibition by the public authorities, businesses and industrial concerns of Azerbaijan and foreign countries. The exhibition was attended by President Aliyev. The initiator of the exhibition is the Ministry of Defence Industry, and the exhibition is also supported by the Ministry of Defence. The organizing partner of the ADEX exhibition is Caspian Event Organizers (CEO).
This year, ADEX is attended by 216 companies from 34 countries, and 29 delegations from 21 countries. The geographical spread of the participants has expanded to countries such as Croatia, Estonia, the Czech Republic Latvia, and Montenegro. In total, companies and delegations take part at the exhibition from 44 countries. The exhibition, occupying all three halls of the Baku Expo Center as well as open spaces, is 15 percent larger this year. The exhibition features 10 national stands from Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, the Czech Republic, France, Israel, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey, and representing leading companies from these countries. The most numerous contingents in terms of the number of companies are Turkey (42 companies), Israel (14 companies), and Russia (14 companies). Such well-known companies as Aselsan, CETC, Damen, MBDA, Norinco, IAI, Roketsan, Rosoboron Export, Thales and others will participate with demonstrations of military equipment. One pleasant fact is that 58 percent of exhibitors are repeat participants from the first ADEX exhibition. The registration sponsor of the ADEX 2016 exhibition is the Secretariat of the Defence Industry of Turkey.
This year the number of local exhibitors has also increased, presenting different types of defence and special-purpose products, military vehicles and equipment, weapons and ammunition. The Ministry of Defence Industry and its related structures and plants, and the Ministry of Defence, ANAMA, actively participate at the exhibition. Several presentations of new Azerbaijani defence industry products are expected at the exhibition.
This year the ADEX exhibition is hosting 29 official delegations, led by ministers, heads of military departments, and stakeholder’s representatives from Turkey, Russia, Israel, Pakistan, and other countries. Among the countries that are sending delegations to the ADEX exhibition for the first time are Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Congo, Djibouti and Serbia. The immense interest shown in ADEX on the part of international delegations and companies once again confirms the high status and importance of Azerbaijan as an important strategic partner.
In general, demonstrations of the achievements in the following areas is planned at the exhibition: Land Forces and Air Forces equipment and armaments, armed military aircraft, air defence systems and tools, special purpose equipment and technology, information technology, space technology, and army administrative and technical support. A distinctive feature of this exhibition is a full-scale exhibition in the form of a unified concept of a wide range of modern means of protection and defence, security technology, industrial, transport security, the protection of information and communications, and fire safety and rescue equipment.
The exhibition’s open space, which is fully occupied by companies from different countries, deserves special attention. Visitors to the site can see the latest fighters, drones, tanks, air defence systems, and military vehicles. In addition, armoured vehicles maintenance and repair service centre project will be demonstrated for the first time.
A comprehensive business program, which includes seminars, presentations and numerous bilateral meetings with the heads of line ministries, manufacturing companies and customers demonstrates the uniqueness of the ADEX exhibition as a dialogue platform. The exhibition will include workshops on September 28-29, which will cover the following topics: “Prospects for the development of demining systems and technologies - the participation and the role of companies working in this field”, “Modern technologies and innovations in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles” and “Modern methods in the field of air defence (AD) systems.” The workshops are open to professionals in the defence sector.
The media too has taken great interest in the exhibition. Up to date coverage is provided by 56 leading international and local specialised media - magazines, websites and news agencies. In total, more than 100 media representatives are accredited at the exhibition. The general information partner of the exhibition is IHS Jane's Defence Weekly (UK), and the official online diary of the exhibition is Army Recognition (Belgium), while the official Media partner is the Azeri Defence magazine (Azerbaijan).
The ADEX exhibition provides an opportunity for industry professionals to get acquainted with modern defence technologies and samples in a variety of MIC industries, and catch up on the latest developments of military equipment that are being offered for export on the world’s arms markets. ADEX is an excellent platform to demonstrate the latest weapons and to finalize new agreements in the field of international military-technical cooperation. Descriptions and contact information for all the participating companies are published in the official exhibition catalogue, and news about new company developments, as well as interviews with inventors and experts can be seen in a special issue of ADEX 2016 News. These can also be reviewed at the web-site of the exhibition (www.adex.az) and on social networks.
Entrance to the exhibition from September 27-29 is only open to professionals involved in the military and defence industry and related industries, as well as students of higher educational military institutions. On September 30 those working in commercial entities will be able to visit the exhibition by presenting their identity cards. On-site registration is required for all visitors.
The partners of Caspian Event Organizers in 2016 are SafeLife, the official security partner; Premier Tour, the official tour operator; the Sheraton Hotel and the Qafqaz Point Hotel, the official hotels; and AzExpoMontage, the official stand builder.