Jordan Times
Friday, April 4, 2008
SOFEX 2008 concludes,
exhibitors confirm participation in 2010 edition
AMMAN (JT) - SOFEX 2008, which concluded Thursday, witnessed the signing of
several major agreements between participating companies, of which, many have
already confirmed their participation for SOFEX 2010.
Some 300 exhibitors from across the world showcased state-of-the-art equipment
and weaponry, especially in the field of special operations at the three-day
exhibition, which also brought together high-ranking military personnel and
decision makers.
Several pavilions confirmed their participation at SOFEX 2010 including the
Russian pavilion, which announced yesterday that it expects to further increase
its participation at the next edition of SOFEX in 2010 due to the success it
witnessed at this year’s event, according to a statement from the organisers.
“We have plans to participate at SOFEX 2010 and we are very excited about this.
This year’s exhibition was successful not only because of the quantity and
quality of participation but also because we have initiated some significant
discussions about future partnerships and business opportunities that we expect
to develop in the near future,” said Andrey Yankevich, representative of
Rosoboronexport State Corporation in Jordan.
The US also announced that it will increase its participation at SOFEX 2010.
The US pavilion at SOFEX 2008, which featured well-known defence manufacturers
displaying the latest and most advanced special operations equipment and
technologies, accounted for 1,850 square metres of exhibition space, to be
increased to 2,500 square metres for SOFEX 2010, according to the statement.
Also Turkey, whose participation increased by 900 per cent this year, said it
will increase its participation at SOFEX 2010.
Meanwhile, several agreements were signed at the exhibition, including one
between Jordan and Russia for the creation of a factory to manufacture anti-tank
rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
In addition, JoSecure International signed a deal with Quadnetics Group Plc., a
British group specialised in security services.
Under the agreement, signed in the presence of HRH Prince Feisal, chairman of
the board of directors of SOFEX, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, a company
specialised in electronic security and surveillance solutions will be
established in Jordan.
Also at the exhibition, DRS Technologies, Inc. announced it received an order
from the US Army’s Communications and Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, NJ,
for the initial phase of the Jordan Border Security Programme.
In conjunction with the US Army, DRS will provide the Jordan Armed Forces with
an end-to-end border security system for a section of the Kingdom’s border.
In addition, the DRS will design nationwide border security architecture and
also provide post-delivery, maintenance, logistics and training support of the
system, the statement indicated.
The King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) also signed a $2
million deal with the Brunei military, whereby the Jordan Light Vehicle
Manufacturing, also affiliated with KADDB, will provide it with military
vehicles.
KADDB Director General Muayyad Samman announced at the exhibition that there
were plans to create a qualifying industrial zone for defence and military
industries, and called on participants to invest in the scheme.