17 Feb 21. What to expect at IDEX 2021 — a defense show held in person amid a pandemic. Who would’ve anticipated a live, non-virtual defense show to take place during the coronavirus pandemic? Yet the International Defence Exhibition and Conference is opening its doors to trade exhibitors and visitors Feb. 21-25, with more than 1,300 vendors as well as five countries participating for the first time.
In its 15th edition, IDEX and its sister event NAVDEX (the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition) are among the first global defense conferences taking place in person during the pandemic.
IDEX and NAVDEX are organized by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, or ADNEC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces. Israel, Azerbaijan, Portugal, Luxemburg and North Macedonia are participating for the first time.
According to a statement from organizers, officials at the event will help stop the spread of COVID-19 by using thermal scanners at all entrances, sanitation and disinfection procedures, and disinfectant fogging machines. All visitors and participants will be required to have a negative result for COVID-19 from a polymerase chain reaction test. In addition, social distancing measures and the wearing of personal protective equipment is mandated across facilities.
“ADNEC has implemented the highest levels of strict precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the safety of visitors and participants, in accordance with the highest global health and safety standards, with a wide raft of precautionary measures being implemented across IDEX and NAVDEX. At ADNEC, we are proud of the arrangements which we have put in place to enable visitor attendance to IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 while protecting the safety of visitors at the event,” said Saeed Al Mansoori, the executive director of Capital Events, a subsidiary of ADNEC.
Al Mansoori told Defense News that Israel’s participation this year following renewed relations between the Jewish state and the UAE under the Abraham Accords is a “proud moment.”
“The participation of the Israeli pavilion in IDEX and NAVDEX 2021 showcases how these strategic exhibitions are at the forefront of the wider region’s peacekeeping efforts, and how IDEX and NAVDEX act as a cornerstone of the Middle East’s broader defense strategy,” Al Mansoori said.
He added that the Israeli pavilion will feature a range of technology and innovation to Abu Dhabi that will foster the transfer of knowledge to local teams and build bridges toward intra-regional collaboration. “We look to foster innovation and collaborate between our two nations, and we are very much looking forward to this during the event,” he said.
NAVDEX is expected to host a series of naval vessels from different countries, which will be on display at ADNEC Marina. Organizers also plan to show off several new naval vessels during the exhibition.
This year’s agenda focuses on cybersecurity, research and development, the defense supply chain, artificial intelligence, and the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“This is significant, as it will be the first time that the global defense community has had the chance to meet, to discuss the direction of the worldwide sector and to conduct deals that benefit international peacekeeping efforts,” the organizing committee’s official told Defense News.
Emirati defense conglomerate Edge plans to make more than 40 business announcements over the course of the five-day gathering, unveiling 20-plus products and exhibiting more than 50 capabilities, including autonomous systems and unmanned ground vehicles; precision-guided munitions; offshore patrol vessels; electronic warfare capabilities; and maintenance, repair and operations services.
More specifically, Edge officials told Defense News that the company also plans to introduce new products from subsidiaries Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company and armored vehicle-maker NIMR.
Additionally, some international companies are participating in the event despite ongoing lockdowns in their home countries by sending regional offices or local delegates. Some business interviews are scheduled to take place virtually. (Source: Defense News)
16 Feb 21. Israeli airport closure could keep defense companies from attending IDEX.
— With relationships between Israel and other Middle Eastern countries on the mend, more than 40 Israeli companies planned to showcase their military systems at this year’s International Defence Exhibition and Conference in the United Arab Emirates for the first time.
But the participation by Israeli companies and officials was thrown into question after Israel extended a closure of its Ben-Gurion International Airport, essentially banning flights to the UAE and elsewhere.
On Feb. 5, the closure was extended to Feb. 21, and an exemptions committee initially refused to approve the travel. Companies hoped that approvals would come through at the last minute, with IDEX set to take place Feb. 21-25.
Expectations were high among Israelis that the event — the largest of its kind in the Middle East — would open doors to new countries and increase sales in existing markets in the Gulf and beyond. Amid a global pandemic, many companies — including Israel’s three defense giants Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems — have curtailed participation in recent trade shows.
In an interview prior to the closure extension, Mati Weinberg, chief executive of ISDEF, which helps produce exhibitions in Israel, said the show will be a significant opportunity for Israeli companies. “For the first time in history they will be in an Arabic land and show what Israel has.”
While Israeli companies are seeking to take part publicly in a large pavilion for the first time in the UAE, those firms and their subsidiaries abroad have previously sold products in regional markets. Weinberg said the only difference now is that “everything is open and [we can] talk about it.
In interviews with many of the Israeli companies hoping to participate, the consensus was that improved relations in the Gulf provides immense opportunities.
For Sharon Biton, vice president of marketing at IAI, the show provides the opportunity to be part of a market hub. “We understand that this is an evolving market which nowadays requires not just being cutting-edge and at the right price, but we talk about joint ventures.”
In other words, Israeli firms are looking forward to signing memorandums of understanding and creating partnerships, much like they have done elsewhere, like in India.
Ran Gozali, Rafael’s executive vice president, said he plans to bring several capabilities featuring the company’s expertise to IDEX. These include the defense giant’s latest artificial intelligence-driven technology, remote control weapon stations and the Spike family of missiles, among other new solutions for the multidimensional battlefield.
“We believe that the capabilities and portfolio we developed here throughout the years and unique technology meets very well the requirements of the UAE in various aspects,” Gozali said. “We understood five years ago that this AI revolution will change everything in the battlefield, and we invested a lot of research and development in key technologies around artificial intelligence, multiple sensors for the next-generation battlefield, multispectral for seekers and payloads to connect a variety of data sources leveraging advanced computer vision algorithms driven by neural networks.”
Rafael expects to showcase how it can connect these capabilities via AI and situational awareness during NAVDEX, a naval-focused trade show that will run concurrently to IDEX, Gozali said. “The company sees potential for business, partnerships and industrial cooperation. We are excited about being in UAE, we see it as strategic partnership.”
For Israel, a key partner of the U.S., attending IDEX in the wake of renewed diplomatic relations is auspicious, particular as Saudi Arabia deals with drone threats from Iran and Yemen; the head of U.S. Central Command Gen. Kenneth McKenzie warns about unmanned aerial threats; and the U.S. pauses an arms deal to the UAE.
“This year is special and interesting because of the normalization process. This is the first time Israel can participate with the flag,” said Yoel Guzansky, a senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University.
Guzansky noted that Israeli firms previously worked “with different names and companies — some would be registered elsewhere, such as in Europe. They didn’t participate directly.”
For example, Bird Aerosystems, which provides products to protect critical assets, said it did business in the Gulf and the Middle East but not directly as an Israeli company, instead working through third parties. Leaders called the current peace a significant breakthrough, and the company can now openly present its whole portfolio.
By contrast, some of Israel’s smaller companies — those that are not historically linked to the government the way IAI and Rafael are — and those seeking to break into new markets are particularly excited about IDEX. Smart Shooter, which makes fire control systems for small arms, is presenting technology that has been used by the U.S. Army, among other militaries.
“After almost a year without exhibitions over the globe, this is the first, and we are ready to see and meet and introduce our system,” said Abraham Mazor, the company’s vice president. “It is important to have it in the UAE.”
Smart Shooter’s technology allows soldiers with a rifle to choose a target and engage only that target rather than mistakenly shooting at nearby areas and potentially harming civilians. It has also been developed for use against small drones.
“We treat the UAE as a friendly country, and once it is on the list of friendly countries we are very proud to sell and deploy systems to these countries. But we need government approval, and we need to apply for that,” Mazor said, hinting at the export licenses that Israeli companies will need to expand their businesses in the region.
Not all Israeli companies planning to head to IDEX have revealed the products they will display. IAI said it will have a booth with visual and interactive displays. Bird Aerosystems will present its latest ASIO system for protecting critical assets — a system that combines airborne, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Smart Shooter is expected to bring its Smash 2000 Plus fire control system and Light Remote Controlled Weapon Station. Representatives from drone-maker Aeronautics said it will bring its latest version of the Orbiter 4 UAV and Orbiter 1K loitering munition. Its line of drones provides a range of capabilities for border protection and reconnaissance.
Leaders at UVision, an Israeli maker of loitering munitions, said the normalization agreement between Israel and the UAE opens a significant market for the company, particularly with its Hero family of loitering munitions.
Similarly, leaders at SK Group, which sells to the Israel Defense Forces and 50 countries, said its businesses will showcase capabilities for small arms and homeland security. In addition, Israel Shipyards will also participate in NAVDEX.
IMCO Group, a company established in 1974 that integrates systems for Israeli tanks and defense giants, sees IDEX as a chance to illustrate its transformation from a veteran company in the shadows to one that can directly pitch products to potential users, according to Eitan Zait, the company’s chief executive.
“The market is huge internationally,” Zait said. “It is a very attractive market because customers over there [in the UAE] have a keen understanding of what they want and the threat they are facing, and the level of professionalism is very high, and so we assume that the solution we offer will be received positively.” (Source: Defense News)
16 Feb 21. Dstl announces new Searchlight webinars for land systems. Opportunities for businesses to help improve armoured vehicles. The latest opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and new suppliers to engage with the defence industry have been announced by Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory).
Dstl is hosting 2 webinars in March to support research to improve the protection and mobility of armoured vehicles, now and into the future. The webinars are being organised through Dstl’s Searchlight initiative to increase defence collaboration with non-traditional defence suppliers.
The webinars are free to attend and businesses do not need to have worked previously with Dstl or in the defence sector. Attendance is welcomed from equipment and material manufacturers, engineers, innovators, researchers and academics and others who have a genuine interest and ability to work with Dstl.
Webinar 1: Modular Integrated Protection Systems (MIPS)
Date: 16 March 2021, 1:30 to 2:30pm
Dstl is furthering research to improve the protection and survivability of Armoured Fighting Vehicles from attack against a wide range of current and future threats, such as Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and Anti-Tank Guided Weapons (ATGWs) therefore helping to protect the lives of the UK Armed Forces.
Dstl conducted a proof of concept Technical Demonstrator Programme (Icarus TDP) between 2017 and 2021.
The TDP developed a UK sovereign Active Protection Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS) Electronic Architecture (EA), incorporating Modular Open System Architecture design principles. The MIPS EA provides a common infrastructure that will enable ‘best of breed’ technologies to be developed or selected, and integrated.
Further research and development is now required to mature key elements of the MIPS concept.
Specialised expertise is required in certain areas such as weapon control, sensor data fusion and kinematic estimation but there is also a requirement for knowledge in safety critical software, deterministic data processing, system level modelling/simulation and high integrity model based system-engineering techniques.
The Dstl requirement is expected to be around £1m in value over 2 years, subject to contract. Concepts generated may be taken forward for further development within a potential multi-million pound project.
Webinar 2: Future Ground Combat System research
Date: 18 March 2021, 11:30am to 12:30pm
The Future Ground Combat System will set out to replace current armoured vehicles such as Challenger 2, the Army’s Main Battle Tank, and produce battle-winning capability in 2040 to 2050. The presentation will review the potential scope of future combat vehicles and outline some of the key challenges where science and technology solutions will be required. The areas of interest include lethality, survivability, mobility, system integration and the use of organic remote systems.
The team will explain the variety of ways to work with Dstl including commercial routes and framework arrangements.
The events will be administered by Team Defence Information.
To register
Register at https://dstlsearchlight.eventbrite.co.uk (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
15 Feb 21. Israel decides not to participate in Emirati arms fair. Israel has decided not to send a delegation of defence companies to a prestigious arms fair in the United Arab Emirates next week due to coronavirus restrictions that have forced the closure of Israel’s international airport, the Defence Ministry announced Monday.
Dozens of Israeli companies, including state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, had planned on sending delegations to the IDEX arms fair. It was to mark the first time Israel has participated in the gathering, a result of last year’s U.S.-brokered agreement establishing ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
The Defence Ministry, which oversees weapons exports, said it sought permission to allow the delegation to travel, but a governmental committee that grants exemptions allowing people to fly denied the request.
Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport is closed to nearly all incoming and outgoing flights until Feb. 21, the day the Emirati arms fair is to open. With infection rates in Israel still at high levels, the government may extend the airport closure.
The biennial International Defence Exhibition and Conference, or IDEX, long has been the largest defence showcase in the Middle East.
Arms deals worth billions of dollars are announced during the five-day event in Abu Dhabi frequently attended by the UAE’s rulers and other world leaders. Hundreds of military technology and contractors from around the world converge in the UAE’s capital to sell everything from armoured vehicles to missiles and drones at the exhibition, which draws potential customers from the Middle East and North Africa. (Source: Google/ap/https://www.citynews1130.com/)
15 Feb 21. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Higher Organising Committee of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2021) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX 2021) have completed preparations for the exhibitions, due to be held 21 – 25 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, alongside the International Defence Conference 2021 which will take place on 20 February at the ADNOC Business Centre.
IDEX and NAVDEX, and the International Defence Conference are organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces. The exhibitions showcase the latest technologies and innovation in the global defence sector, support the growth of UAE’s defence industry, and forge new relationships between major international companies.
The International Defence Conference 2021 will be, for the first time, held as a hybrid event. The conference will bring together industry experts and specialists from across the world, physically and virtually, together to the ADNOC Business Center. The conference’s theme will be ‘The Prosperity and Development of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology and the Protection in the Era of the 4IR’.
During a press conference held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre on Monday 15 February, the details for the 15th editions of IDEX, NAVDEX, and the International Defence Conference 2021 were announced to the public. The conference was held in the presence of His Excellency Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for IDEX and NAVDEX; Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al-Balushi, Head of the Executive Directorate of Industries and Development of Defense Capabilities at the Ministry of Defense and Vice Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for IDEX and NAVDEX; and Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.
Speaking during the conference, H.E. Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei commented: “Since its inception, IDEX has supported the national and international defence sector. In doing so, this exhibition has furthered the establishment of the UAE on the regional and global stage. IDEX and NAVDEX are among the world’s most strategic and vital events, providing an integrated global platform that showcases cutting-edge technology and development. These developments empower participants to be informed of the latest breakthroughs in the fourth industrial revolution across land, sea, and air defence sectors.
“This edition marks the commencement of the recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic, in spite of the ongoing global conditions. It will demonstrate how Abu Dhabi and the UAE are ready and able to organise, deliver, and host leading international events. The UAE has the infrastructure and expertise necessary to organise such a global event in adherence to leading precautionary health and safety measures. These measures further exemplify how IDEX and NAVDEX lead the global events sector, and showcase how Abu Dhabi appeals to a wide range of countries to take part in one of the most prominent global defence events.
“Decision makers and experts from these important sectors will be heavily involved throughout these exhibitions,” continued H.E. Major General Staff Pilot Al Mazrouei, “and we will witness a wide global participation at this edition. Defence industry leaders from across the world will be able to build fruitful partnerships and further develop their respective national sectors through these exhibitions.
“Visitors and participants to the upcoming events will be able to understand the latest in global defence technology and equipment that can further ongoing peacekeeping endeavours. We anticipate an increase in participating UAE entities, which compete internationally through creating a vibrant, advanced, and productive sector, driven by distinguished talent.
“The 2021 edition of the exhibitions and the conference coincide with our nation’s Golden Jubilee. This occasion represents the culmination of a half-century of development and achievements, guaranteeing the UAE its prestigious international position.
“IDEX, NAVDEX, and the International Defence Conference will mark the starting point for the resumption of business tourism activities. These conferences will contribute to our continued development, helping the UAE look toward the future. They will complement the UAE’s wider story of success over the next fifty years, helping build a competitive national economy which is based on knowledge and innovation.”
Concluding, H.E. Major General Staff Pilot Al Mazrouei said: “Hosting this upcoming edition, at this particular moment in global history, further demonstrates the UAE as a safe and attractive international destination. Our country has been able to proactively manage and curb the spread of COVID-19, while also being able to welcome the world to our nation.”
Major General Pilot Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al-Balushi commented: “We are immensely proud to launch IDEX, NAVDEX and the International Defence Conference 2021 during this time. The international community is confident in our ability to organise these exhibitions on schedule. In close cooperation with ADNEC, the Higher Organising Committee has developed detailed and thorough plans to organise these exceptional editions. They mark the first live event of the global defence sector during the recovery phase from COVID-19, in addition to being the largest in-person event in Abu Dhabi since the pandemic.
“Our nation is a global example in our management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UAE is actively handling the recovery and revitalisation of the nation’s economic sector. We continue to support the global defence community, enabling its leaders to continue forging new economic success.
“The Higher Organising Committee is cooperating with a wide range of entities and institutions to ensure the rigorous implementation of international health and safety standards that protect delegations, participants, and visitors. We have seen a high turnout for the exhibitions from official delegates, decision makers, experts, and professionals from a wide range of critical sectors from countries across the world.
“ADNEC is cooperating with a wide range of organising committees and authorities to ensure each event can welcome international delegations, exhibitors, journalists, visitors, and participants. This includes close coordination with the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces, who are facilitating visa issuance for international delegations. In addition, international visitors are provided with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests upon arrival at the UAE’s airports, presenting their print-at-home registration badge to participate in IDEX and NAVDEX.”
Major General Staff Pilot Al-Balushi further commented: “19 hotels, located around the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, have been selected to host international delegations and visitors participating at the event, in co-operation with the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi. Each hotel is equipped with a PCR test centre, in coordination with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Additionally, participants will be able to use shuttle buses to transfer delegates to and from the events.”
“The International Defence Conference will bring together over 24 experts and specialists from across the world during its physical and virtual sessions. Over 2,000 leaders and senior executives from more than 80 countries, representing the global defence sector, will be able to meet and do business, while working with a range of bodies which bolster nations’ peacekeeping infrastructure. This further supports the UAE’s international leadership and its pivotal role in supporting defence on a local, regional, and international level.
“The International Defence Conference is a unique global event. It showcases the latest advanced defence technology, following global technological adoption trends for the fourth industrial revolution. The Conference demonstrates how international cooperation is crucial to restructure defence systems, following ongoing global technological challenges.”
Concluding, Major General Staff Pilot Al-Balushi said: “The 2021 edition of the Conference will commence with an opening speech by His Excellency Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bawardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs in the UAE. Subsequently, four main sessions will be held, hosting a select group of Emirati and international industry leaders. The first session will be titled ‘Exploring innovative opportunities in supply-chain ecosystem management beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic’. The second session will be followed by ‘Protecting AI and other 4iR technologies in the age of collaboration and diffusion’. The third session will cover ‘Strengthening the Defence industries R&D in an increasingly complex dynamic context’, and the final session will be titled ‘A holistic view on Cyber Security Resiliency during the era of Digital Transformation’.”
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC, commented: “Since inception in 1993, over 27 years ago, IDEX has realised a range of accomplishments, maintaining its position as a leading global defence event. This achievement is only possible through the significant and unwavering guidance of our wide national leadership.
“Over 900 exhibitors from 59 nations are expected to take part in the 2021 editions, with 35 national pavilions. IDEX and NAVDEX will welcome over 70,000 local and international visitors during five days, in addition to 110 international delegations confirmed their attendance. Over 500 journalists from 64 nations will cover both the exhibitions and the conference,” commented Al Dhaheri.
“Five countries will participate in IDEX and NAVDEX for the first time: Israel, North Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, and Portugal. 84% of companies exhibiting will be internationally based, while 16% will be UAE based entities. Such figures demonstrate the vast international interest in IDEX and NAVDEX, alongside showcasing the high quality of defence innovations which will be on display in Abu Dhabi.”
“IDEX and NAVDEX will be hosted across ADNEC’s indoor and outdoor exhibition space, which reached about 155,000 square metres. Outdoor space and water demonstrations for NAVDEX will take place at the ADNEC Marina, spanning across 81,000 square metres.
“NAVDEX will welcome over 70 exhibitors from 16 countries. Over 17 naval units and vessels will participate at the conference from 10 nations: the United States of America, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Italy, South Africa, India, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. Naval ships and equipment will be on display at the pier of ADNEC Marina at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, as well as in dedicated areas in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s port area.
“The safety and wellbeing of all participants and visitors to IDEX, NAVDEX, and the International Defence Conference is ADNEC’s top priority. We have implemented a wide range of precautionary and preventative measures that ensure the health and safety of visitors and participants alike. These measures have been developed in close co-operation with relevant health and regulatory authorities.”
Concluding, Al Dhaheri said: “ADNEC thanks our partners in both the public and private sectors. We are immensely grateful to the continued and steadfast support of the Ministry of Defense and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces. We are also grateful to each member of the Higher Organising Committee, to their subcommittees, and to the government entities which have ensured the success of these events, guaranteeing they meet standards which befit the UAE’s international reputation and stature.”
A wide raft of health and safety measures will be applied throughout the exhibitions, ensuring the safety of delegations, participants, and visitors. For more information and details on these measures, please visit www.idexuae.ae.
11 Feb 21. Future Soldier Technology 2021 Virtual Conference.
- The World’s Leading Conference Dedicated to Soldier Modernisation
- March 9-10, 2021, Online Event
of our previous six annual meetings, Future Soldier Technology 2021 will be an excellent international gathering of senior officers and programme managers who are seeking to enhance their programmes. Additionally, this forum offers an excellent platform for programme managers within the military to interface with senior experts from within the defence industry.
As the only dedicated future soldier focussed conference, we endeavour to deliver genuine insight and learning through the expertly selected participants who run our discussions and panels, ensuring the latest developments from all parts of the community (industry and military) are covered in great detail.
Future Soldier Technology 2021 will discuss Soldier Modernisation Programmes, and how these projects are driving infantry capabilities into the future and making the dismounted soldier more lethal, protected and ready to fight in the challenging conditions of the modern-day battlefield.
Particular focus will be paid to lessons learnt from major programmes, optics and night vision, ballistic protection, human factors and ergonomics, soldier lethality and soldier system power supply.
Benefits of Attending
- Hear invaluable keynote briefings delivered by senior military officers on leading soldier modernisation programmes.
- Gain a unique focus on the human factors around new technologies, including ergonomics, carry distribution, new materials, durability, and tools used to operate in extreme weather environments.
- Listen and engage in high level panel discussions featuring technical managers and project engineers from military as well as research agencies.
- Make use of our networking lunch and coffee breaks to gather insight from peers and colleagues also shaping and influencing future soldier programmes.
More information
Conference Chairman:
- Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Hansen, Former Programme Manager Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier, US Army
- Expert Military Speakers Include:
- Mr Nick Taylor CEng FIMechE MAPM RPP, Soldier, Training and Special Programmes Team Leader DE&S, UK MoD
- Colonel Frédéric Edel, Director, Infantry Development Directorate, French Armed Forces
- Lieutenant Colonel Neil Locke, Commander Infantry Trials and Development Unit, British Army
- Lieutenant Colonel Simon Wierzbicki, Project Manager IdZ-ES, Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support
- Lieutenant Colonel Rune Nesland–Steinor, Project Manager Weapons Optics and Electronic Warfare Land Systems Division, Norwegian Defence Logistical Organisation
- Major Magnus Hallberg, LCG DSS Chairman, NATO / Swedish Armed Forces
- Major Jari Tillikka, Programme Manager Dismounted Soldier, Finnish Armed Forces
- Dr Darren Browning, Senior Technical Lead Power, DSTL UK MoD
- Dr Carsten Cremers, Team Leader Fuels Cells, Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT
Expert Industry Speakers Include:
- Senior Representative, Glenair UK Ltd
- Senior Representative, Blackned GMBH (Source: ASD Network)
27 Jan 21. Automated ISR and Battle Management Live Broadcast Virtual Symposium.
- Modernizing the ISR Enterprise for Great Power Competition
- February 17-18, 2021 , Online Event , Your Computer
The 9th Annual Automated ISR and Battle Management Symposium encourages members of the DoD, Intelligence Community, military services, and critical organizations to come together to discuss advances in technology and systems to collect and process actionable intelligence in support of decision makers and warfighters. As the US military continues to shift its priorities to preparing for a possible conflict against an advanced, near-peer competitors the need for rapid, accurate, and rugged battlefield intelligence systems. This program will facilitate discussions aimed at enhancing US ISR systems and capabilities and ensuring that they are capable of meeting the challenges of current and future battlefields.
Topics to be Covered at the 2021 Symposium:
- Army Intelligence ISR Modernization Efforts for a Near-Peer Conflict
- Utilizing ISR to Create a Decision Advantage
- Delivering Intelligence Capabilities to Address Emerging Threats and Enable Operational Effectiveness
- Developing Integrated ISR Sensors for Near-Peer Intelligence Collection
- Exploiting AI to Improve the Speed, Completeness, and Accuracy of ISR Processing
- Attaining Persistent and Penetrating ISR in Denied Air Space
- Improving Partner Nation Intelligence Sharing in a Near-Peer Fight
Why you should attend this year’s Symposium:
This educational symposium will bring together senior Intelligence officials, military leaders, academia, and solution providers to ensure ISR resources are being utilized as effectively and efficiently as possible in support of mission success.
With many of the ISR platforms currently used across the DoD becoming obsolete for future mission requirements, the US ISR enterprise needs to develop systems capable of meeting the challenges of a near-peer fight. Advances in enemy area denial capabilities hinder the effectiveness of current intelligence collection methods used by US Forces across the globe and create gaps in commanders’ knowledge of the enemy. Emerging technologies, such as AI and machine learning, will enable platforms and systems to collect in previously denies areas and rapidly process and disseminate it to the warfighter.
This symposium will feature senior level discussions about advances in modern technology to help collect actionable intelligence better support the Commanders and the Warfighters. With the global threat environment continuing to evolve the need for clear and actionable intelligence collection only continues to grow. This symposium will allow for open and honest dialogue to solve the nation’s most difficult challenges surrounding the efficiency of ISR capabilities.
2021 Early Confirmed Speakers Include:
- LTG Laura Potter, USA, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2
- LtGen Lori Reynolds, USMC – Deputy Commandant for Information, USMC
- Maj. Gen. Leah G. Lauderback, Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Headquarters U.S. Space Force
- RADM Kelly Aeschbach, USN, Director, National Maritime Intelligence Integration Office; Commander, Office of Naval Intelligence
- MG Gary Johnston, USA, Commanding General, INSCOM
- MG Charles Cleveland, USA, Operations Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- Brig. Gen. Parker H. Wright, USAF, Director, ISR Operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Cyber Effects Operations
- Brig. Gen. Julian Cheater USAF, Deputy Director for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations, Joint Staff J32 (Source: ASD Network)