After less than a year, the International Defence Exhibition Bratislava is returning to Incheba Expo Bratislava. While last year the exhibition was marked by measures related to the coronavirus pandemic, this year it is taking place in the shadow of the military conflict in Ukraine, which further emphasizes its importance and mission.
The newest defense technologies from 15 countries of the world will fill the Incheba venue from Tuesday 10 May to Thursday 12 May. Manufacturers and sellers of defense industry systems from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, South Korea, Hungary, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the USA will present themselves at the international defence technology fair IDEB. The opening ceremony with the participation of highest political officials and foreign delegations will also include low-flying military aircrafts over Bratislava, which is scheduled for May 10th, 10 a.m.
The portfolio of 100 exhibitors on an area of more than 10,000 m2 includes military equipment, defense industrial systems, communication and monitoring systems, weapons and ammunition, armoured and robotic vehicles, systems and services for logistics, fire-fighting technologies, equipment, related products and services for the armed forces. IDEB is thus an exceptional platform not only for a comprehensive presentation of products and services of the security and defense industry, but also for finding solutions in the field of security policy, joining forces as well as establishing and strengthening contacts at the domestic and international level.
“Current incidents have drawn attention to security issues not only in Slovakia, but throughout the European Union. Ensuring effective defence is a topic of discussion and I am convinced that IDEB can make a significant contribution to solving the challenges that occur due to the current situation,” said Incheba Executive Director Alexander Rozin Jr. The importance and high professional level of the fair is also confirmed by the fact that participation at IDEB was confirmed by foreign delegations from 13 countries, as well as the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The professional guarantors of IDEB are the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic and the Security and Defence Industry Association of the Slovak Republic.
Over three days, IDEB will present a number of interesting exhibits. Rheinmetall, which is a professional partner of the fair, will show the HX3 8×8 military truck, the LYNX KF 41 infantry fighting vehicle, the HX77 8×8 Excavator high-capacity excavator system, as well as integrated electronic systems and multi-type weapons and ammunition. Zetor Engineering brings to Incheba the armoured tactical vehicle ATV 4×4 Zetor Gerlach and the rapid deployment vehicle RDV Zetor Gerlach 4×4. Lockheed Martin will present itself with the F-16 Fighting Falcon simulator, which will show the advanced technologies and combat capabilities of the fighter aircraft in an interactive environment. The Turkish company Baykar, whose military drones are currently used by the Ukrainian army, will also be represented among the exhibitors. In addition to presenting the work of the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic will show the combat vehicle BPsV-I, which is the result of the modernization of the originally used BPsV Svatava vehicle. The exhibits will also include a 155 mm self-propelled cannon howitzer ZUZANA 2 or a vehicle MAGNI HTH 35.12, which is a telescopic manipulator on a wheeled chassis designed for moving, loading and unloading loads weighing up to 35 tons.
Accompanying programme
During the exhibition, there will also be dynamic demonstrations which are always a very popular part of the accompanying programme and allow visitors to take a closer look at the work of the armed forces.
During the current year, visitors can see members of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic and the Military Police in action, who will, among other things, show, the process of eliminating the enemy and freeing the detainee. Demonstrations for the general public are scheduled for Wednesday, May 11 and Thursday, May 12, starting at 2 p.m.
On the first day, 10 May, a seminar on the European Defense Fund (EDF) will take place in Incheba, mainly for representatives of the defence industry. The seminar is a unique opportunity to obtain and exchange information on the main conditions and principles of the use of EDF in the field of research and development in cooperation with the foreign industry of the Member States of the European Union. The seminar is organized by the Modernization Section of the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic.
IDEB will take place at the following days:
Tuesday, May 10 9:00 – 18:00
Wednesdy, May 11 10:00 – 18:00
Thursday, May 12 10:00 – 16:00