Idex 2013: Tomorrow's systems today

The National highlights some of the exhibits at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) that is set to open its doors in the capital today.

DUBAI // The security risk of costly trips between prison and court could be a thing of the past thanks to the Remote Trial system.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior teamed up to create the system, which will allow evidence to be given by video conferencing rather than have the accused transported to and from court.

Remote Trial will be on display at the exhibition along with land, sea and air-defence systems from about 80 companies.

Abu Dhabi Police will showcase their mobile operations room, known as Meydaniya. It is fitted with the latest technology for use at accident scenes and other situations, providing centralised communication with everyone in the field, and streaming video and audio to the command centre at police headquarters.

Police will also display special surveillance equipment, from a digital camera that can be fitted to rescue dogs, to the Sniper radar and monitoring system to catch drivers who jump red lights.

Among international exhibits will be Raytheon's unique communications unit, TransTalk, a portable two-way device that automatically translates speech and can be configured for any language pairing.

It is designed to ease the exchange of information between battlefield allies across language barriers.

AgustaWestland will exhibit its new range of commercial, government and military helicopter types - including scale models of the GrandNew, AW169, AW139, AW189 and AW101.

About 25 per cent of the world fleet of AW139s are in the Middle East region.

"We are confident that the concept of our family of new-generation helicopters will also find significant success in the region," said Bruno Spagnolini, AgustaWestland's chief executive.

Also on display is the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 aircraft, the latest version of the MB-339, which is used by Al Fursan, the UAE's national aerobatics team.

"Since more than 40 years ago our jet trainers, basic trainers and transport aircraft have been in service in several countries in Mena," said Giuseppe Giordo, chief executive of Alenia Aermacchi.

Selex ES will be exhibiting its range of radar and airspace-surveillance systems.

"In Idex's Navdex area, the Baynunah, Falah 2 and Abu Dhabi class naval vessels are displaying Selex ES naval combat-management systems - just part of our portfolio of advanced sensors and systems," said the company's chief executive Fabrizio Giulianini. "We're proud to be putting our most advanced technology on show in Abu Dhabi."