Opening of the IDEX 2009: arms fair for the Middle East

The IDEX 2009, presented as the biggest arms fair in the Middle East opened in Abu Dhabi Sunday, while the international financial crisis likely to limit the purchasing power of countries in the region, large purchasers weapons.

•     Nearly 900 exhibitors from 50 countries participate in the biennial exhibition that will attract for five days over 45,000 visitors.
  
      The President of UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has kicked off the show by attending a demonstration air, including Mirage and F-16 Air Force locales.
  
      The fair held on more than 108,000 m2 offers a variety of equipment ranging from machine guns, American M-16, Vanguard, a British vehicle remotely controlled, for the destruction of explosives, through many vehicles such as the American Humvee or the shielded CV9035 BAE Systems.
  
      Despite the economic crisis and falling oil prices, some industry representatives remain optimistic as the director of BAE Systems Sweden, Magnus Forsberg, who told the press: "We have noted no increase or decrease in expenditure on armaments.
  
      According to U.S. figures, the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC - Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman) have to spend 59 billion dollars in 2009 for their defense needs.
  
      During IDEX 2007, the Emirates have ordered for 918.2 million dollars in weapons and defense systems of $ 1.85 billion to IDEX 2005.
  
      The Gulf monarchies are continuing to strengthen their defense against Iran's suspected of pursuing a military nuclear program.
  
      They are close U.S. allies, which the Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain and led the coalition ousted Iraq from Kuwait in 1991.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.