BIDEC ends on a positive note
Manama : The first edition of the Bahrain International Defence Exhibition & Conference (BIDEC 2017) concluded yesterday successfully with the participation of 189 exhibiting companies from 39 countries.
Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander and chaired by HH Brigadier-General Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa the three-day conference that commenced on the October 16 also hosted the Middle East Military Alliances and Coalitions Conference (MEMAC).
The three-day conference also witnessed various off-site activities like Warship Display at the Mina Salman Port, Parachute Demonstrations at the Endurance Village, Military Vehicle Demonstration at the National Guard Sakhir, Shooting Demonstrations at the National Guard Sakhir and Sniper and Night Shooting Demonstration at the BDF range.
“We had almost 9120 visitors from different parts of the world who visited the exhibition to see latest technology and equipment from different defence and military countries,” Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies “Derasat” and Spokesperson and Chairman of MEMAC Organising Committee told DT News.
“There were further five events taking place around Bahrain where over 1000 people attended the activities,” he said
Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa also said that MEMAC held on the sidelines of BIDEC witnessed the participation of more than 800 military professionals, strategists, analysts, and representatives from specialised think tanks all over the world.
“Further, it was a privilege to have Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition and Arab Coalition Forces supporting Legitimacy in Yemen, Saudi Arabia as our partners, and we are very glad to sign the $3.8 billion deal for the purchase of Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block, 70’s that we are most likely to receive by 2021,” he said.
Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamoud Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority told DT News, “The show comes in line with our vision of creating sustainable events and exhibitions throughout the year.”
“This is a huge success for the first edition,” he said adding: “There were almost 189 exhibitors, which helps boost the tourism of different sectors in many ways.”
Made-in-Bahrain
The Royal Bahrain Air Force has displayed it technical and technological prowess at the expo in the form of two Made-in-Bahrain vehicles. A top Royal Bahrain Air Force official told DT News that the vehicles were two of its most advanced units.
Commenting on the participation, Col. Abdulla M. Al Noaimi of Royal Bahrain Air Force told DT News that the Made-in-Bahrain military vehicles are capable of operating 48-hours, without fuel or batteries, on solar power.
“This exhibition not only helps us have a look at the military equipment of other countries but also helps us recognise our military equipment in such a huge and one of a kind of a defence exhibition,” he added.
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