The UAE will host the largest country pavilion at this year's International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX). Over 147 UAE-based companies will be exhibiting, spanning over 12,500 sqm. of exhibition space. Amongst those with the largest space reserved include Tawazun, headline sponsors of the exhibition, with 2,918 sq. reserved, and Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi based investment and development company, with [1,870]sqm reserved. "Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 makes clear that diversification beyond oil and gas will require advancement in sectors including aerospace and defence," said Mohammed Omar Abdullah, Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi-based companies have already achieved significant progress in these areas, establishing the foundations of industry that will support economic development for decades to come. IDEX presents the ideal platform for these companies to showcase their products and services, underpinning their international visibility and support the long-term success of the industry in Abu Dhabi." "We are very pleased with large national turnout at this year's IDEX," said Saleh Al Marzooqi, IDEX Director. "With military and high level business leaders attending the event, IDEX has become a true platform for local organisations to showcase the emerging prominence of the UAE's defence industry. We very much look forward to the advance offerings on display by companies like Tawazun, which are increasingly staking their mark as global leaders in the industry." Highlights that will appear at the UAE country pavilion in February include Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments' advanced line-up of unmanned, remotely controlled vehicles across air, land and sea; Caracal's range of leading edge hand guns and rifles; NIMR's multi-purpose vehicles specifically designed for tactical missions in harsh environments such as arid deserts, modern urban warfare, deep infiltration missions, reconnaissance, border surveillance and support logistics. Al Taif Technical Services will exhibit its systems engineering and integration capabilities for defence systems, as well as a range of their prototyping and small lot production of critical components in support of its MRO activities and Bayanat for Mapping '&' Surveying Services will showcase their fully integrated end-to-end geospatial services that include aerial, hydrographic and field surveying and geodesy, spatial data management, various types of maps (topographic, hydrographic and aeronautical) and 2D '&' 3D data models production in addition to related advisory services. Additional companies exhibiting include Masdar, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Advanced Integrated Systems, Bin Hilal Enterprises, Emirates Defence Technology, International Armored Group, Abu Dhabi Tourism '&' Culture Authority and Al Fattan Ship Industry. Universities participating in the pavilion include the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE University and Khalifa University of Science and Technology. Organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in coordination with the UAE Armed Forces GHQ and headline sponsor Tawazun, IDEX will take place at Abu Dhabi's National Exhibition Centre from the 17th - 21st of February, 2013.