Show organiser ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company) has announced the launch of a naval defence, coastal and maritime security exhibition, NAVDEX, to run alongside its main International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), 20-24 February 2011, which is the UAE’s biggest defence and aerospace industry show.

The exhibition will be held in the ADNEC marina located adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Access to the marina is via a footbridge which will directly link the IDEX and NAVDEX events allowing access for visitors to visit both events.

Clarion Events will manage the exhibitor sales and on-site organisation of NAVDEX.

“Through our work in the global defence sector, we have developed both global expertise as well as a wide network of relationships. We look forward to deploying these capabilities in the conduct of the inaugural show in 2011,” says Clarion CEO, Simon Kimble.

Clarion’s current portfolio of defence events includes DSEi (Defence and Security Equipment International), ITEC, UDT (Undersea Defence Technology) Europe, CNi Expo and LAAD (Latin America Aero and Defence).

Naval defence spending in the region is expected to grow by 1.2 per cent annually, reaching about US$17.5bn (Dh64bn) by 2020, according to defence advisory, Jane’s.

“Maritime security is now a top priority for the region’s governmentsm with Gulf countries investing heavily to protect their coastlines,” says IDEX show director, Mohammed Al Mashgouni. “The combination of increased maritime security investments as well as steady growth in the region’s naval manufacturing capabilities has provided the impetus for us to launch NAVDEX as the naval component of the IDEX brand.”

NAVDEX will showcase the latest in naval technology and feature quayside exhibits, exhibition stands in an air-conditioned marquee, on-water craft moored to temporary pontoons and daily amphibious and waterborne demonstrations.