The Defense Products BG took part in IDEX 2007, a defense industry exhibition and conference held at the International Exhibition Grounds in Abu Dhabi, UAE February 18-22. The BG displayed the “Biho” (Flying Tiger) twin 30mm self-propelled antiaircraft gun system as well as mock-ups of seven different pieces of hardware, including the next-generation infantry fighting vehicle and armored wheeled vehicles.
  The Middle East’s premiere defense industry show is held every other year and is officially supported by the UAE government. This year marked the eighth edition of IDEX, and the show opened amid global concern over the Iranian nuclear program. The Middle East today is the world’s largest trouble spot, fanning an arms race region-wide.
  Therefore, IDEX drew strong international interest. A total of 906 defense contractors from fifty countries came to the show to target Middle Eastern oil producing countries, flush with petrodollars from soaring oil prices. The competition over sales contracts was fiercer than ever.
  Doosan Infracore was among fifteen companies that exhibited products in the Korea Pavilion, which was organized by the Korea Defense Industry Association. The Defense Products BG promoted the superior features of the Biho as well as the “Chunma” (Pegasus) short-range self-propelled surface-to-air missile system, directing marketing efforts particularly at exports of antiaircraft weapons systems and armored vehicles to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

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Thoughts from IDEX

 Rising international prices for gas and petroleum have brought abundant liquid capital to the Middle East, which is now a golden opportunity for exporting military hardware. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are in a race to build up their military strength, and the Middle Eastern countries are forecasted to become the world’s biggest arms buyers.
  Against this backdrop, we took part in the Middle East’s foremost defense industry show, promoting our products and working to secure a better market position. The number of corporate participants in IDEX 2007 as well as the scale of the show were both at an all-time high.
  We set up our booth inside the Korea Pavilion and received much attention for displaying the only real model (instead of a mock-up) of the twin 30mm self-propelled antiaircraft gun system at the entire show.
  The atmosphere at this year’s show was more dynamic than ever. Indoors, sales representatives were busy talking with prospective buyers, while outside firing tests and mobility demonstrations were conducted.
  Many VIPs dropped by the Doosan Infracore booth, including the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; various military generals and ministers; the Korean Minister of Commerce, Industry & Energy; the Thai Deputy Defense Minister and the Deputy Commanding General of the German Air Force. The visitors and agents were especially impressed by the Biho and Chunma weapons systems, and Doosan Infracore stands to make further inroads into the Middle Eastern market in the future.