Upcoming Trade Shows in UAE for Security

The United Arab Emirates has undertaken a massive project in building its security industry from the very bottom by prioritizing local defense manufacturing. The UAE has always been a notable spender when it comes to defense, ranking among the top 15 globally. The country has set its sight on rebranding as a major force within the global defense industry and one avenue it’s pursuing this goal is through the International Defense Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), which has quickly morphed into one of the world’s largest specialized defense shows. The 2021 edition drew over 62,000 visitors and hosted 900 exhibitors from 59 countries. The value IDEX provides lies in the deals being made during its run, which strengthen UAE’s security industry further. During that same edition, Raytheon inked a substantial $1.55 billion contract to supply platform systems for launching missiles to the UAE Air Force and an additional $360 million contract for Patriot missiles. The company also unveiled its High-Energy Laser Weapon System and initiated a partnership with Emirati firm Al Jasoor. L3Harris closed a $180 million deal for automated command and control, Boeing secured a $31 million maintenance services contract for C-17 simulators, while Lockheed Martin signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EDGE. Rising military spending and modernization efforts have spurred collaborations and joint ventures between regional defense manufacturers and international counterparts. Emphasis on science and technology research is evident with a focus on unmanned systems, cybersecurity, information technology and artificial intelligence. The Gulf region's acquisition drive has particularly targeted combat aircraft, with Boeing F-15 Eagles, Eurofighter Typhoons, Dassault Rafale F4s, and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons making headlines. The approval of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) by the U.S. State Department for up to 50 Lockheed Martin F-35As in November 2020 further underscores the UAE's commitment to bolstering its defense capabilities.