IDEX is one of the most important trade fairs in this sector worldwide, and the most important in the Middle East and North Africa. At the last edition in 2013, 1,112 companies from 59 countries took part, occupying a total exhibition surface area of 133,000 m2, with 38 national pavilions, and received 80,000 visitors from 143 countries, 150 official delegations and 750 journalists of 51 different nationalities. The Spanish defence industry is represented at this trade fair by 16 different entities.
In addition to expressing his support for these companies, this trip also seeks to improve cooperation ties with the UAE and other neighbouring countries. To that end, the State Secretary for Defence visited the various stands of Spanish companies and held both formal and informal bilateral meetings with those heading up different delegations, including the Chief of Defence Staff of Qatar, Ghanim al-Ghanim and the Under-secretary for Defence of the UAE, Mohammed Ahmed al Bawardi. He greeted Crown Prince, General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed al Nahyan, and the Minister for Defence, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum.
On Sunday 22 February, the State Secretary for Defence accompanied the British Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, to the institutional event for the signing of an agreement for an improvement in the capabilities of the P3E Eurofighter. Spain is one of the four members of the consortium manufacturing this aircraft. He also held brief meetings with the Italian Defence Minister, Roberta Pinotti, and the South African Defence Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
