Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, IDEX 2009 commenced at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) with an hour-long launch event. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, Members of the UAE Supreme Council, Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers were also in attendance.
This year's show is the largest ever IDEX edition, with a record-breaking 897 exhibitors from 50 countries and over 150 official delegations taking part. And with the sheer size of IDEX 2009 in mind, the opening ceremony provided a fitting commencement to what is the Middle East's largest defence show with VIPs and visitors being given a glimpse of the scale of this important exhibition at which more than 45,000 visitors are expected.
The UAE Armed Forces treated guests to a breathtaking demonstration on the capital's Al Bateen waterfront. Three visiting warships and a UAE naval vessel, moored in the coastal channel, provided the backdrop for the ensuing military displays.
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, organisers of the event, created a mobility track, with simulated off-road surfaces that included water hazards, sheer drops and vastly uneven paths for military vehicles to cross.
Combat and support vehicles, from tanks and personnel carriers to recovery trucks and specialised sand transports like the world's fastes desert patrol vehicle SAND-X which accelerates the driver in 2.8 seconds from 0-100kmh, negotiated the course. Later, a display of aerial stunts by motocross riders completed the morning's events on this track.
Meanwhile, in the sky, a squadron of F16 planes from the UAE Air Force staged a fly-by before the crowds. And subsequently, members of the country's Special Forces performed a rope "fast drop" to the ground as their helicopters hovered above, before parachutists landed on the parade ground in front of the assembled dignitaries.
The military theme was enhanced by a display by a UAE Army band, and the music continued with large-scale performances of traditional dance by 200 children from the Abu Dhabi Educational Zone.
On the completion of this launch display, attention is now focused on IDEX 2009, the Middle East's largest ever defence show.
The 108,000 square-metre gross size of the exhibition represents a 49% growth over the 2007 edition. Exhibitors feature land, sea and air vehicles and systems, radar, electronic warfare and electro-optic systems, weapons and ordnance, C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) defence, homeland and internal security, simulation and training, logistics, medical and survival systems and personal equipment.
Following today's opening ceremonies, IDEX 2009 will tomorrow feature the GDC (Gulf Defence Conference). The conference, organised by Jane's on behalf of ADNEC, features some of the world's leading military and security experts who will highlight emerging security challenges and threats
IDEX Press Release:
Tracked all-terrain vehicles – the ultimate solution!
Brian M Walters
Sunday, 22 February, 2009, International Defence Exhibition Abu Dhabi 2009
The manufacturer of a tracked all-terrain vehicle (T-ATV) featured on IDEX Stand E01 in Hall 12 claims it not only outperforms the most powerful conventional quads, but is also safer. Produced by Sand-X Motors in co-operation with Swiss Arms AG (successor to the SIG company, the oldest arms manufacturer in Switzerland), the vehicle has a notably low centre of gravity.
In fact the entire weight of the SAND-X T-ATV is low down and the two front wheels are far apart, so there is no way that it could be rolled down a hill, even intentionally, according to the company. Marketed as a desert patrol vehicle, it does not require ground clearance because the rear track hugs the ground and there can be no slippage of the wheels. This is explained by the definition of the Sand-X as a vehicle that travels on low-pressure tyres supported by a continuous track at the back, which accounts for the unbeatable traction.
The driver sits astride the main body and uses handlebars for steering control. As the name implies, the Sand-X is designed to handle a wider variety of terrain than most other vehicles. The rider operates the vehicle like a motorcycle, but the extra track provides greater traction, stability and safety at all speeds and greatly increases its off-road capabilities. The vehicle’s track is made from a Kevlar composite, intended for operation on different surfaces, including those without a road or trails.
The SAND-X T-ATV 800 featured at IDEX is claimed to be the perfect vehicle for special operations, target acquisition and all kinds of peacekeeping missions. For policing borders and crossing a desert as quickly and safely as possible, theSand-X 800 T-ATV is boldly said to be indispensable. It has a maximum speed of 185km/h and claims cornering speeds never reached before. It can carry payloads of up to 300kg, including communication equipment, machine guns or other weapons.
Weighing 210kg, the vehicle is powered by a liquid-cooled 799cc two-cylinder Rotax 800 2-TEC in which fuel is injected into the transfer port of each cylinder; a process that reduces emissions and increases fuel economy, without sacrificing power. The Sand-X is 2,890mm long, 1,217mm wide and has an overall height of 1,000mm.