UAE is hub for international defence industry: Al Romaithi

The International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) has become a global platform to showcase latest defence equipment and technology, said Lt General Hamad Mohamed Thani Al Romaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces.

Al Romaithi's remarks came in a statement he made to mark Idex 2015, which starts today in Abu Dhabi.

He said that since its launch in 1993, Idex had evolved to become one of the world's major events for defence industry, thanks to the directives of the UAE's wise leadership and the keen perusal of General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

"As a specialised world-class event, Idex provides the opportunity to the armed forces in the region to view the latest technology in defence equipment and systems," he added.

Al Romaithi also noted that the UAE's economic stability and strategic location enabled it to become a key destination for specialised exhibitions industry, referring to the growing popularity of Idex among the world's leading defence manufacturers.