ABU DHABI, February 19. /TASS/. One of the world’s largest exhibitions of arms and military equipment, IDEX-2017, is opening in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. Russia will present weapons well proven in the Middle East, including during counter-terrorism operations, at this exhibition.
"The Middle East is traditionally seen by Russia as one of the most important in terms of military and technical cooperation between regions. The Rosoboronexport (Russian state arms export agency - TASS) offers both cutting edge samples of weapons and military equipment and services to modernize the existing Soviet-and Russian-manufactured equipment. Russian weapons are well proven in the Middle East, including during the counter-terrorism operations in recent years," Igor Sevastyanov, Rosoboronexport Deputy Director General, told TASS.
The exhibition will be held for the 13th time bringing together 1,235 companies from 57 countries, including Russia. According to the organizing committee, the exhibition will be visited by more than 150 official delegations and over 100,000 experts.
Russia’ participation
The Russian delegation is led by Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov, while Alexei Frolkin, Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation, has been appointed his deputy.
Rosoboronexport will present at the exhibition more than 240 samples of weapons and military equipment for all branches of armed forces, many of which showed high combat effectiveness during counter-terrorism operations. The Russian delegation’s exposition includes about 800 samples. Rosoboronexport is the organizer of the joint exposition of 18 agencies and holding companies of the Russian military-industrial complex. The total area of the Russian exposition is 1,379 square meters.
During the IDEX-2017 exhibition, Russian experts will conduct a series of presentations for potential foreign customers. Rosoboronexport specialists planned an extensive business program. Meetings with representatives of the military and political leadership and the business community of the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the European Union are due to be held.
Along with IDEX-2017, Abu Dhabi will host the Naval Defense Exhibition, NAVDEX-2017, held for the fourth time bringing together 99 companies from 27 countries.