Armenia and Azerbaijan were present as active participants at the IDEX-2019 International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The event is taking place between 17-21 February with over 1.000 companies from over 50 countries exhibiting and promoting products destined for the defence sector.
Participating in the event were delegations from the Ministries of Defence of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, headed by the heads of both ministries. Armenia was exhibiting 10 products at the event, while Azerbaijan did not participate as an exhibitor. Exhibiting or not, both governments showed an interest in participating in the events as potential clients.
Armenia’s Ministry of Defence exhibited 10 products, from MJ-25 radar systems to bulletproof vests, tactical boots, the indigenous K-8 sniper rifle and the RIA-1 mine detector among others. The majority of Armenian products were high-technology ones, produced locally in Armenia. A special delegation, including military servicemen, were present during the initial events, where Armenia’s Guard of Honour exhibited their skills playing military tunes. The Defence Minister himself, David Tonoyan, will only be present during the opening events between 16-17 February, with a series of official and non-official meetings planned.
Among the Armenian products on display at the exhibition
Azerbaijan on the other hand, although not exhibiting, did show an interest in exhibitions, particularly those of Turkey, Belarus and China. Defence Minister Col Gen Zakir Hasanov paid a visit to Turkish arms producers Aselsan, Elektroland, Rocketsan and FNSS among others, showing an interest in small arms as well technologically-advanced artillery systems and UAV’s. While speaking with the heads of Turkish defence firms, Gen Hasanov stated the importance of the ongoing bilateral co-operation between Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Alongside the exhibitions, Gen Hasanov met up with his Belarussian counterpart Andrey Ravkovla, during which they discussed defence co-operation prospects between their two countries.
Azerbaijan’s participation in the events (below left, meeting with his Belorussian counterpart)
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