A participant at every IDEX show
in Abu Dhabi, including the
inaugural event, BAE Systems
had its largest-ever presence at IDEX
2007 earlier this year. A new 600 sq.
metre pavilion was created specially
for the event with the theme being
"Real Partnership, Real Advantage".
"IDEX is of strategic importance
to BAE Systems," says Simon Keith,
Regional Managing Director Middle
East, BAE Systems. "We have
participated in every IDEX since
inception, and this year has again
been very successful for us." Our
customers in the Middle East demand
the best. They are highly sophisticated,
intelligent and professional - it's our
challenge to continue to meet and
exceed their expectations.'
Features included a display area
highlighting industrial partnerships,
an upgraded Hawk Jet Trainer
experience, improved hospitality and
increased display areas showcasing
its capabilities across all domains,
especially in land systems.
This year's event was the first
IDEX since the 2005 acquisition by
BAE Systems of US-based United
Defence, this making it the world's
second largest land systems company.
Acquisition and organic growth has
made BAE Systems one of the world's
defence powerhouses, the largest in
Europe and the fourth largest across
the globe. Capability ranges across all
three traditional domains of land, sea
and air and well security, integration
and support. In the outside area of the
pavilion, vehicles such as the RG-31
mine protected vehicle and BVS10
all terrain vehicle were displayed.
Both vehicles are performing well in
operations across the globe, saving
the lives of service men and women.
The RG-31 is one of a number of
different vehicles, all designed to
protect occupants from mines and
Improvised Explosive Devices, and is
made in South Africa by BAE Systems
- customers include the US, Canadian,
and UAE armed forces. The BVS10,
made by BAE Systems in Sweden, is
in operation with the Royal Marines in
Afghanistan and is credited with saving
the lives of numerous Royal Marines
in Helmand and the rapid conversion
of Marines to the use of armour; not
something they often utilise.
A Major from the Royal Marines was
on hand during the week to explain
how the vehicles were performing
with his unit in Afghanistan. When the
BAE Systems pavilion was honoured
to be visited by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy
Supreme Commander UAE Armed
Forces, the Major was able to spend
a few minutes in conversation with the
Crown Prince about his experiences.
"IDEX has always been important to
BAE Systems, it is a hugely important
international show, " says Simon Keith.
"The event has gone from strengthto-
strength and provides an unrivalled
opportunity to meet defence industry
decision makers from across the
Middle East and the rest of the world."
The most important event at the
show for BAE Systems was the
announcement by the UAE Air Force
and Air Defence that the new Hawk
Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) has been
chosen to compete for their fast jet
training requirement. The new Hawk
AJT is the latest version of the world's
most successful advanced jet trainer,
out-performing and outselling all other
aircraft in its class, with over 900
aircraft in operation or on order with 19
countries worldwide. The competition
continues and BAE Systems will be
pulling out all the stops, especially in
industrial cooperation and skills and
technology sharing. The upgraded
Hawk AJT experience was at the
centre of BAE Systems' participation
in IDEX 2007. At the centre of an
integrated training system, the
Hawk AJT features the very latest
in advanced simulation for radar,
weapons and defensive aids training
and is producing
highly trained pilots
for air forces across
the globe.
The final batch of
Hawks destined for
the Royal Bahrain
Airforce (RBAF)
have recently joined
the previous Hawks
delivered in 2006 to
form part of Bahrain's
integrated training
system. This is an
excellent example of
BAE Systems' ability
to deliver integrated
solutions, tailored
to meet customer
requirements, with an
air training wing now
created for new RBAF
recruits who will go on
to fly front line aircraft.
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