Idex, interesting but ... a shift in trends? This year's biennial defence exhibition held in Abu Dhabi in February was definitely characterised by the virtual absence of medium and heavy armoured vehicles. In spite of an attendance that was qualified as slow by most visited exhibitors, a few major contracts were nevertheless announced.

Summary

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Shows & Exhibitions

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Idex, interesting but ... a shift in trends? This year's biennial defence exhibition held in Abu Dhabi in February was definitely characterised by the virtual absence of medium and heavy armoured vehicles. In spite of an attendance that was qualified as slow by most visited exhibitors, a few major contracts were nevertheless announced.

The number of exhibitors remained as high as ever and has even grown, according to the organisers. This is explained by the fact that both the United Arab Emirates and the region still have a number of future requirements to be fulfilled, even if those are not yet officially or formally spelled out. One example is the need for airborne maritime surveillance equipment. But whether this requirement will be filled by manned aircraft, drones or a mix of both is a question to which no crystal ball has the answer. Patience is a motto, and probably has been Rheinmetall's during the five past years, as we shall see.

The Deals

In today's rather quiet world of defence expenditures, the contracts announced during Idex could nearly be qualified as big. The first went to Rheinmetall, or should we say Henschel, since...

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