BIDEC-2017

The first edition and the first success

On October in Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (city of Manama, the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain) had been the first edition of Bahrain International Defense Exhibition and Conference (BIDEC), was organize under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander. BIDEC is tri-service defense exhibition, it covers land, sea and air.

BIDEC provided a unique opportunity to meet experts, specialists and representatives of major defense equipment companies and all three services in one place. It was also serve as a platform for the world's leading companies to showcase the latest defense systems and modern technologies. BIDEC was also provide the military authorities with the opportunity to access the latest technology, equipment and hardware.

Participation of the largest international companies of the defense industry in BIDEC-2017 indicated BIDEC’s unparalleled success: 189 exhibiting companies from 39 countries. 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 from 16 – 18 October also hosted the Middle East Military Alliances and Coalitions Conference (MEMAC) for two days.

HH Shaikh Nasser praised the enormous efforts to maintain Bahrain’s leading rank in hosting unique events and conferences specialised in the security and military fields. The long-standing work of preparing for BIDEC was due to the importance of this event which accommodated major security and defence service providers with senior officials in the military sector to exchange views and ideas on the latest developments in both industries and how to develop partnerships among them.

HH Shaikh Naser explained, ‘The dream has always been great, but the reality has become even more beautiful after the remarkable success of BIDEC, as well as the panel discussions that took place in the Middle East Military Alliances Conference, which brought together senior military leaders and spokespersons specialising in strategic and political affairs.’

HH Shaikh Nasser praised the members of Derasat to make the first edition of BIDEC a huge success. This came during his reception to HE 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 and members of the organization.

HE Shaikh Abdullah further stated that “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. There were further five events taking place around Bahrain where over 1000 people attended the activities. 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.”

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa also said, ‘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.’

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. The event also benefited greatly through the expertise of leading defence exhibition organisers, UK-based Clarion Events who managed the event.

Outstanding success of BIDEC 2017 will strengthen the global confidence in Bahrain’s huge organisational potential thanks to its loyal and creative cadres, advanced infrastructure, political and security stability, as well as economic and media progress, in light of HM the King’s leadership and patronage of the prestigious event.

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa sent a cable to the Royal Guard Commander, Brigadier-General HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

HRH the Prime Minister expressed sincere congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and HH Shaikh Nasser on the outstanding success of the Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BIDEC 2017).

The Prime Minister expressed pride in HM the King’s leadership, praying to Allah the Almighty to bless HM the King with abundant health and happiness, and the people of Bahrain with further progress and prosperity, under the King’s leadership.

Russia also took part in BIDEC-2017, the biggest delegations were from Rosoboronexport (part of the Rostec State Corporation) and Military-Industrial Company. ‘Perspective military-technical cooperation between Russia and Bahrain features strong upward dynamics stipulated by the Parties’ interest in the identification of new areas of cooperation and their implementation through the signing of contracts and supplies of military equipment under those contracts. Our partners have shown keen interest in a wide variety of Russian-made air defense systems, armored vehicles, antitank weapons and small arms”, head of the company’s delegation to the exhibition, Deputy Director General of Rosoboronexport Sergey Goreslavskiy said.

Rosoboronexport was the organizer of a joint Russian display at BIDEC-2017. The company provided information on 200-plus pieces of military equipment. The other participants - the Military Industrial Company and Zavolzhsky Crawler Vehicle Plant - presented at BIDEC-2017 full-size models of the SPM-233136 special police vehicle and GAZ-3344-20 tracked tractor.

‘The Middle Eastern countries have first-hand knowledge of the threat of international terrorism. Special emphasis here is placed on all levels of security. That is why we are ready to present a new product developed by Rosoboronexport, namely, the Russian Security Systems. It includes the entire spectrum of law enforcement, counterterrorist and facility protection assets as well as latest cyber security measures,’ Sergey Goreslavskiy added.

The agreement on military-technical cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Bahrain was signed in 2015. As early as 2016 Rosoboronexport supplied several batches of Russian equipment to the Bahrain Defence Force. The year 2017 saw the signing of a number of contracts for supplies of arms and military equipment. The bilateral cooperation maintains a positive trend; the countries continuously negotiate the supplies of a wide range of military equipment to Bahrain.

‘Rosoboronexport pursues fruitful cooperation with its traditional partners from the Arabic Middle East and actively expands its presence in the region, which can be illustrated by the successful summit talks with the King of the Saudi Arabia having resulted in the signing of a number of contracts important for both countries,’ Sergey Goreslavskiy concluded.

Rosoboronexport made a broad business program in BIDEC-2017, including meetings with the representatives of military-political leadership and business circles of Bahrain and other Middle Eastern and North African countries.

Brigadier Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Commander of Bahrain Royal Guard and High Committee Chairman of BIDEC 2017 noted that BIDEC was hosted a number of features at various sites across the country that will strengthen Bahrain’s position as a leading destination in hosting international events and enhance the role of the exhibition, which included Parachute Demonstrations, Shooting Demonstrations, Military Vehicle Demonstrations and a Warship Display.

‘It is time to formulate a new regional security network that presents realistic, effective and fair mechanisms capable of strengthening the security of our countries, that ensures peace and stability, protects national capabilities and the Gulf principles, creates genuine guarantees... and adopts a political dialogue and initiatives for crises in the region,’ Royal Guard Commander Brigadier-General Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa said.