In March the attention of the global maritime defence industry focuses on Qatar and the 2nd Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2010, the anchor of maritime defence in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA).

As a gateway to lucrative Middle East and North African markets, DIMDEX 2010 at the Doha Exhibition Center from 29th to 31st March 2010 is once again hosted by the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces and boasts the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent and Deputy Commander of the Qatar Emiri Armed Forces.

A unique event addressing the growing need for sophisticated naval equipment to control Middle East and North African offshore waters, DIMDEX 2010 provides the opportunity for international companies producing high-end maritime technology to promote their products and services.

Confirmed DIMDEX 2010 exhibitors include Shipyards, warship design, build, modernization and repair suppliers and manufacturers & suppliers of heavily armed fast attack craft, offshore patrol vessels, corvettes, frigates, destroyers, landing platform deck, submarines and onboard systems.

Following the runaway success of the inaugural event in 2008, organizer QMDI has added 50% extra exhibition space at DIMDEX 2010 to accommodate over 130 major defence manufacturers from 30 countries as they display the very latest technologies to meet the maritime challenges of the 21st century.

DIMDEX 2010 Exhibition Director Mohamad Nabhani is overjoyed with both exhibitor numbers (90% sold out) and quality. As demand for space reaches unprecedented levels, manufacturers eager to assert their identity in the flourishing Gulf markets include EADS, MBDA, Fincantieri, Saab, Raytheon, THALES, Luerssen, MTU Friedrichshafen AG and, for the first time, Boeing.

Reacting to growing security concerns, regional navies continue to step up planned investments in larger surface ships, including frigates, corvette and offshore patrol vessels ranging from 1500-4000T. This reflects an increased demand in MENA for larger and more advanced ships - ships that provide more capabilities compared to the patrol ships and craft that have historically been the mainstay of regional sea service force structures.

Along with international VIP delegations, DIMDEX 2010 attracts an audience of key decision-makers from government, military, naval academia and maritime industry including: Ministers of Defence, Officials from Departments of Defence, Senior Members of Defence Research
Organisations, Government Organisations and Agencies, VIP Naval Personnel and Procurement Officers, Coast Guard, Police, Customs and Immigration Officers, and Water Transport Security Professionals.

90 VIP Delegations head for DIMDEX 2010
DIMDEX 2010 Chairman and Commander of the Qatar Emir Naval Forces, Staff Brigadier (Sea) Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Mohannadi, has invited a record 91 VIP Delegations to Qatar from across the world.

DIMDEX provides face-to-face opportunities for the industry’s professionals to meet with official VIP delegations from the MENA region and beyond. The VIP Delegation Management system facilitates meeting requests from exhibitors into a calendar of appointments for both exhibiting companies and the VIP delegations
themselves.

“Middle East and North African naval spending continues to increase despite the global economic slowdown. Inviting significant numbers of key regional decision makers to meet the world’s leading maritime defence companies face-to-face means DIMDEX 2010 will cement its reputation as a “must attend” event in the international maritime defence calendar,” says Brigadier Al-Mohannadi.

MENC calling Naval Commanders!
One of many DIMDEX 2010 milestones is the Middle East Naval Commanders (MENC) Conference, taking place on Day 2 (Tuesday 30 March), organized in partnership with the Royal United Services Institute in Qatar.

The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference will bring together chiefs of navies and fleet commanders from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) alongside their counterparts from around Europe, Asia, and North America at the biggest maritime security conference in the Middle East in 2010.

The conference will address three areas central to maritime security; the policy priorities of the region’s navies; the technologies that can help deliver security at sea; and the challenges faced in the conduct of operations.

The last two years have seen significant developments affecting maritime security in the MENA region. The capabilities, ambitions and sophistication of pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa has captured the attention of world, as pirates have sought bigger and more lucrative targets. This has required a rethink of the methods used to secure shipping, and it has also brought the entry of new foreign powers, into the region’s waters, alongside other established navies. Notable, also has been the establishment a French naval base, at the centre of the Gulf, in Abu Dhabi. Other mainstays of maritime security in the MENA region though persist. The threat of irregular warfare refuses to disappear as the potential for regional conflict continues. And, the recent interception of North Korean arms bound for Iran, contrary to the UN arms embargo, show that the waters of the Middle and North Africa remain vital to counter-proliferation efforts.

Programme:
Three plenary sessions will explore these headline topics.

Plenary Session 1 - Policy Priorities for Naval Commanders
• What are the priorities for naval commanders in the MENA region – military capabilities, information technology, or political co-operation?
• What is the evolving nature of the threat environment, and how can energy transit and commercial shipping be secured?
• Are regional and international collaborative structures working?
• Is inter-operability limiting co-operation? And, are international legal frameworks adequate?

Plenary Session 2 – Technology and Naval Capabilities
• Are ‘hi-tech’ or ‘lo-tech’ solutions the most appropriate means to enhance naval capabilities?
• Should focus be given to IT and network-enabling technologies, or more basic and affordable systems?
• Are weaknesses in information collection, sharing, or analysis preventing greater maritime domain awareness?
• And, what organisational and doctrinal changes are required to accommodate the new technology?

Plenary Session 3 – Maritime Security Operations
• How are Combined Task Force 151 in the Arabian Gulf, and Combined Task Force 152 off the coast of Somalia, performing in delivering maritime security in the region?
• What lessons do operations to tackle of piracy off the Horn of Africa hold for irregular warfare at sea?
• How is the entry of emerging global maritime nations into the region’s waters likely to impact the region?
• Is the time right for the creation of a regional naval task force?

The DIMDEX Middle East Naval Commanders Conference will provide a unique forum for strategic discussion on the specific challenges faced in maritime security in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The agenda will provide valuable insights into the thinking of policymakers, senior naval officers and partners in industry. It is a rare occasion that will enable individuals to keep abreast of developments, and the opportunity to network with the most influential officials in the field.

Entry into the conference is free of charge to all DIMDEX badge holders.

Warships Set Course for Doha
Visiting warships were an important component of DIMDEX 2008 and the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces is expecting more than 20 warships to participate in the DIMDEX 2010 Warship display and military exercises running concurrently with the three-day exhibition. Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) will be the sole ship husbandry agent for the duration of the event.

Visiting warships will be berthed at Doha Commercial Port, conveniently located 20 minutes from the Doha Exhibition Center as trade and professional visitors have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience and information about the onboard facilities and systems during extensive guided tours.

A complimentary shuttle service will be available to transport visitors between the exhibition centre and Doha Commercial Port.

Focus on Qatar
Promoting DIMDEX – and the State of Qatar – at major defence events around the world has been a top priority for Mohamad Nabhani and his dedicated team. Beginning in 2008, high profile VIP Emiri Naval Force Delegations and DIMDEX 2010 representatives have weighed anchor at Euronaval (France), DSEi (U.K.), IMDS (Russia) and a host of Asian events, each time returning to Qatar clutching a collection of signed contracts with major maritime and coastal defence manufacturers

DIMDEX’s unique position as the premier dedicated maritime defence show serving the Middle East and North Africa region has attracted a great deal of interest, as Staff Brigadier (SEA) Khalid Yehya Al-Khuzaei explains: “DIMDEX is pleased to participate in the most influential maritime defence events. Our region is placing increased emphasis on naval defence and DIMDEX has received significant interest from industry leaders keen to build ties with the emerging MENA maritime and coastal defence sector.”

Visiting DIMDEX 2010
Creating 3 days of international business opportunities, information gathering and essential networking, DIMDEX 2010 is a must attend event on the Naval and Coastal Defence calendar.

Benefits of visiting DIMDEX 2010?
• View the latest equipment, technologies and developments that are available to meet the current and future needs of the Navies in the region.
• Discuss and interact with the world’s leading maritime and naval defence suppliers in one location.
• Visit many national exhibitor pavilions within the exhibition hall
• Visit over 20 international warships berthed at the Doha Port displaying some of the latest equipment at the exhibition.
• Attend the Middle East Naval Commanders (MENC) Conference discussing topics of interest in the MENA region
• See what’s new in the industry and watch market development
• Network & develop future business contacts in a face-to-face environment.
• Appraise products & manufacturers.
Who should visit DIMDEX 2010?
• Defence Ministers – Chief of Staff, Chief of Navies
• Senior Members of Defence Research Establishments and Government Agencies
• Official VIP Delegations – Minister of Defence, Chief of Staff, Chief of Navies, Coast Guard Commanders
• Senior Naval, Air Force and Procurement Officers
• Officials from major maritime-related organizations
• Defence and Suppliers
• Defence Scientists
• Trade delegates
• Associations /Industry Organisations
• Other Policy Makers
• Academia

Visitors can pre-register in advance on the DIMDEX website www.dimdex.com and collect their entry badge from the fast track registration desk when they arrive at the show. Alternatively visitors can fill in a registration form when they arrive at DIMDEX 2010.
Event Programme

Broad Official Program
28 – 31 March 2010
28 March 2010 (Sunday)
• Arrival of Participating Warships
• Arrival of Official VIP Delegations
• Pre-Show Media Briefing

29 March 2010 (Monday)
• Official Opening Ceremony and official tour
• Official Lunch Reception (by invitation only)
• EXHIBITION (Trade & Professional Visitors)
• Warship Display & Visits - afternoon
• DIMDEX 2010 Official Gala Reception

30 March 2010 (Tuesday)
• Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC)
• EXHIBITION (Trade & Professional Visitors)
• Official Lunch Reception (by invitation only)
• Warship Display & Visits – all day

31 March 2010 (Wednesday)
• EXHIBITION (Trade & Professional Visitors)
• Official Lunch Reception (by invitation only)
• Warship Display & Visits – all day
• Visiting Warship Sports Tournament
• Exhibition Close

1 April 2010 (Thursday)
• Exhibition break down
• Departure of VIP Delegations & Warships

Contact details:
Full details about the DIMDEX 2010 Exhibition, Middle East Naval Commanders Conference and exclusive exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities can be obtained by telephone (+974 454 6519), fax (+974 492 7352), email info@dimdex.com or visit www.dimdex.com