IDEX and NAVDEX 2027 Abu Dhabi: Defence Show Guide
By Ilyas Kerbal,
IDEX (International Defence Exhibition & Conference) is the largest defence show in the Middle East and North Africa, and it runs alongside NAVDEX, the naval defence and maritime security exhibition. In 2025 it brought together more than 1,500 exhibitors, and the UAE Tawazun Council announced record contract values. The 2027 edition moves from its usual February slot to 21–25 January 2027. For defence suppliers, the IDEX attendee list covers delegations, procurement agencies and prime contractors in one place.
IDEX and NAVDEX at a glance
| Industry | Defence |
| City | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Venue | ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi (NAVDEX on the waterfront) |
| Dates | Biennial (odd years), 2027: 21–25 Jan (moved from February) |
| Frequency | Biennial (odd years) |
| Moves between cities? | No, always Abu Dhabi |
| Typical scale | ~130,000 attendees · ~1,500 exhibitors |
| Visitor ticket | Trade-only registration (third-party ≈ US$40) |
| App / platform | Online registration (idexuae.ae) |
| Official website | idexuae.ae |
Details checked in October 2026. Dates, prices and venues can change between editions, so confirm on the official IDEX website before you book travel.
What is IDEX?
IDEX is organised by ADNEC Group under UAE government patronage. National pavilions, prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Thales, Rheinmetall and EDGE Group, and military delegations from around the world make it a key venue for government-to-government and supplier deals. Areas include:
- Land systems and armoured vehicles
- Air defence, missiles and munitions
- Naval vessels and maritime security (NAVDEX)
- Unmanned systems and drones
- C4ISR, cyber and electronic warfare
- Defence services, training and MRO
NAVDEX uses the ADNEC marina to display naval vessels. Photo: Mztourist, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Venue and dates
IDEX and NAVDEX are held every two years, in odd years, at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. NAVDEX uses the marina and waterfront for vessels. The 2027 edition runs 21–25 January, earlier than the traditional February dates. The International Defence Conference (IDC) takes place the day before.
Who attends
| Attendee | Role | Who should target them |
|---|---|---|
| Military and defence ministry delegations | Requirements and procurement | Primes, systems suppliers |
| Procurement agencies (e.g. Tawazun Council) | Contracting and offset | Primes and SMEs seeking UAE contracts |
| Prime contractors and SMEs | Partners and subcontractors | Component makers, service firms |
| Government officials and diplomats | Bilateral cooperation | National pavilions, agencies |
| Defence analysts and media | Insight and coverage | Analysts, PR firms |
| Security and homeland defence buyers | Equipment and systems | Security tech vendors |
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Registration and vetting
Trade visitors must register and are vetted; IDEX is open to industry professionals only. A third-party ticketing partner lists a full-period trade ticket at about RMB 300 (≈ US$42), and official pricing is on idexuae.ae. The IDC runs by invitation or registration.
Digital tools
Registration and exhibitor information are on idexuae.ae, and an official app usually appears closer to the show. Defence is a relationship business with strict security, so meetings almost always need to be arranged in advance. Knowing which companies and delegations are coming, and who leads business development or procurement for each, is the starting point.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very high-value procurement audience
- Global prime contractors and national pavilions
- Live and maritime demonstrations
- Strong UAE and GCC government buying
- Biennial timing concentrates deals
Cons
- Strict vetting; not open to everyone
- Only every two years
- Defence-specific
- Expensive exhibition space
- Security-heavy logistics
Exhibiting is expensive. An empty meeting calendar is worse. A pre-event IDEX list with decision-makers, companies and LinkedIn profiles gives your booth staff something to work with. Get the IDEX attendee list
Preparing for IDEX 2027
- Note the new January dates and plan travel around them.
- Register early; vetting takes time.
- Map partners and primes you want to subcontract to, not just end users.
- Prepare export compliance documentation before discussing specifics.
- Book meetings in December. Delegations and primes plan their schedules early.
- Attend the IDC the day before for senior-level contacts.
FAQ
When is IDEX 2027?
From 21 to 25 January 2027 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi, alongside NAVDEX.
Is IDEX open to the public?
No. It’s for vetted industry professionals only.
What is NAVDEX?
The naval defence and maritime security exhibition held alongside IDEX, using the ADNEC waterfront.
Can I get the IDEX exhibitor and attendee list?
The website lists exhibitors. I can build an enriched list of exhibitors and attendee profiles ahead of January.
Walk into IDEX with a target list
If IDEX is on your calendar, the time to build your target list is now, not on the plane. Send me the event and your ideal customer profile and I’ll put together an enriched list of the people and companies that will be there, ready for your CRM and your outreach sequences.
Ask for your IDEX attendee list
Related event guides
- Dubai Airshow 2027: Aerospace Show Guide and Attendee Data
- Aero India 2027 Bengaluru: Air Show Guide and Attendee Data
- World Defense Show Riyadh: WDS Guide, Results and Leads
Sources
Photo credits
- Cover image: Model pojazdu Warana na targach IDEX 2025 by Cezary Filip Krzymowski, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- In-article image: Atlaf at NAVDEX 2025 by Mztourist, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
