400 companies participate in Indo Defense Expo and Forum 2008

ANTARA News,  Jakarta,  Tue, 11/11/2008

Some 400 companies from 37 countries will participate in Indo Defense Expo and Forum 2008 from November 19 to 22, 2008, at the Halim Perdana Kusuma Air Force Base, managing director of PT Napindo Media Ashatama, the organizers, Herman Wiriadipoera, said here Monday.

Herman explained that there will be 11 annexes of the 37 participating countries. They are Singapore, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Germany, Poland, South Korea, Germany, US, Bulgaria and the UK.

Moreover, the director also announced the names of several foreign companies participating in the exhibition such as MBDA, Sukhoi, EADS, Brahmos, Bumar, Sp.z.o.o, Ultra TCS, Kazan Helicopters, Wahgo International Corporation, SAS Inyternational, Kawan Lama, Victorinox, and North Sea Boats.

Meanwhile, he said there were also 11 State Owned Strategic Industries such as PT PAL, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT Pindad, PT LEN, PT Krakatau Steel, PT INKA, PT Dok dan Perkapalan Kodja Bahari, PT Barata Indonesia, and PT Dahana.

"This year's exhibition would be different from the last because it is held in concurrently with Indo Aerospace Expo 2008," Herman said.

Therefore, there would be 15 planes displayed at the Static Line and also 150 VAB (a 6x6 armoured personnel carrier) produced by PT Pindad and France's Renault.

Furthermore, the exhibition would also have a seminar on defense technology in increasing national transportation," he said.

Indo Defense Expo 2008 covers a complete spectrum of Indonesia's Airborne, Land Based & Sea Based Platforms Systems & Equipment; Command, Control, Communications & Information, and etc.

It will bring together decision makers from various defense authorities in the region. The event would also be considered as a perfect time to take more benefit from the business opportunities arrising from it, because of the rise in budget allocations for defense projecst.