IDEB – INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION BRATISLAVA - Advanced defence systems for a more secured world.

The participation of Czech and foreign companies will be by far the greatest in the history of military defence exhibitions in Slovakia.

IDEB 2008 – Special Assets under offer not just to the Slovak Armed Forces

The character of the upcoming IDEB 2008 defence exhibition is to be shaped by the greatest international gathering of exhibiting and visiting clients, and the wide range of services therewith connected within the exhibition facility, which is deemed essential in supporting the event of this extent and specialisation. But equally remarkable is the profile of commodities to be exhibited, and of programmes and side events, dynamic demonstrations included. The significant position of IDEB among other fairs is also confirmed by the data gathered from its opening year in 2006 in Bratislava, when it was attended by 17,350 sales representatives from 30 countries worldwide, with defence exhibitors coming from 16 countries to promote their products. No other fair to have taken place in Slovakia can live up to IDEB’s exhibition parameters.

The factors mentioned above have been positively reflected in exhibitors’ rising interest in the event. In this respect, Exhibition Manager Ing. Ľubomír Kopecký said that 75 per cent of the IDEB 2006 exhibitors registered for this year’s venue as early as November 2007, this figure rose to 90 per cent in December, and in January 2008, the total number of exhibitors registered by the event’s organiser – Incheba Bratislava – amounted to 180. Similarly, the total exhibition area has been increased (by 1/5), and is expected to cover some 30,000 m2. Early estimates indicate that 1/3 of the exhibition area will be occupied by Czech companies (a 20 per cent increase), while another 1/3 will be taken up by foreign exhibitors.

All things considered, the state of the IDEB 2008 preparations positively reflects the business results achieved in 2006, as well as the modernisation process of the Slovak Armed Forces. This development has been followed closely by exhibitors and therefore their line of products corresponds to it. As a result, the defence exhibition has its own areas of business interest.

This year these include: soldiers’ equipment and outfit for extreme combat and climatic conditions, including communication and protection means, secure/encoded communication and camera surveillance systems, radio equipment, air defence systems, fire control and command systems, rocket launchers, capabilities ensuring the transport and mobility of deployable forces and their logistic support, especially within peace support operations (PSOs) and in pursuance of NATO standardization.

The attractiveness of the defence fair will be boosted by the new multifunctional exhibition polygon designed in co-operation with specialists from the Slovak Armed Forces and the Defence University of Brno. In addition to staging dynamic demonstrations of the Slovak Armed Forces’ equipment, the polygon area will feature equipment presentations by individual companies.

Along with the Defence Ministry of the Slovak Republic and Slovak Armed Forces, a meeting of Slovak Armed Forces officials and National Armaments Directors (NADs) from the V4 countries will be held. Additionally, the Slovak Defence Industry Association will host the meeting of the Visegrad Four partner defence associations. In view of the V4 meetings and summits at presidential and ministerial levels, the involved parties will, undoubtedly, highly appreciate the sessions of special interest groups, military professionals, specialists, and defence industry representatives, which are widely seen as the defence exhibition’s significant side events. These will also include an international conference entitled “Safely Together II” – Information and Communications Technologies in the process of building a safe Europe, which is being organised by the Armed Forces Communication and Electronic Association (AFCEA) in co-operation with the Liptovský Mikuláš-based General Milan Rastislav Štefánik Armed Forces Academy. Moreover, the Trenčín-based Alexander Dubček University and the Defence University of Brno are working on yet another international scientific and technical conference – “Specialized Equipment 2008″. Headquartered in Trenčín, the Office for Defence Standardization, Codification, and State Product Quality Verification is running a seminar entitled “Defence Standardization, Codification, and State Product and Services Quality Verification for Defence Purposes in the Slovak Republic”.

IDEB 2008 has recently been promoted among exhibitors and specialists at defence exhibitions such as Eurosatory 2006 (Paris, France), MSPO 2006 (Kielce, Poland), MVSV 2006 (Moscow, Russia), VTTV Omsk 2007 (Omsk, Russia), IDET 2007 (Brno, Czech Republic), EXPOMIL 2007 (Bucurest, Romania), and at the traditional meeting of Czech manufactures of specialized equipment in early 2008 (Prague, Czech Republic). It was also presented through significant publishing houses and their products, such as Aeromedia, MS Line, PVS – Střelecká revue, Rescue Report (Czech Republic), Mönch Publishing Group (Germany), Magnum-X (Poland), Military Parade/ Vojennyi Parad (Russia), Alarm Security Magazine, EUROREPORT, Obrana, Revue priemyslu, Strojárstvo, Zbrane, strelci a lovci (Slovakia), Fam – Fuerzas Militares del Mundo – World Military Forces (Spain).

The latest update on the preparations of IDEB 2008 suggests that the products to be exhibited at the fair will be interesting not just for the Slovak Armed Forces and foreign businesspeople but also for police and security components. IDEB 2008 will be held in modern exhibition halls that, by their parameters, meet all stringent international requirements. To make the entry into the exhibition facilities more comfortable, an electronic check-in system will be put in place, thus allowing easier and faster access to the exhibition premises.

Written by: Ján Begala

Latest News and New Products at IDEB 2008

The participation of Czech and foreign companies will be by far the greatest in the history of IDEB in Slovakia.

The key commodities to be presented at IDEB 2008 are: soldiers’ equipment and outfit for extreme combat and climatic conditions, including communication and protection means, secure/encoded communication and camera surveillance systems, radio equipment, air defence systems, fire control and command systems, rocket launchers, capabilities ensuring the transport and mobility of deployable forces and their logistic support, especially within peace support operations (PSOs) and in pursuance of NATO standardization.

Of the new line of products on offer at the fair, it is worth mentioning the company NOWATRON Elektronik SK, which will present its portfolio, including diverse military and industrial solutions and applications – specialised computers and monitors, computers meeting the Tempest standard, as well as solutions to call centre workstations or large scale display systems. The attention of visitors will definitely be focused on Getac’s ruggedized notebooks designed for rough field conditions. Getac will, for the first time, introduce its two latest notebooks – V100 and P470.

Q PRODUCTS’ interesting goods traditionally belong to IDEB. And this is especially true for its MTTX Military division, which has 15 years of experience in drafting, designing and manufacturing computers, servers, and displays for military applications. The company will present the MTTX65D tactical terminal for military applications and the MTTX1G and MTTX600 military servers, which embody a group of specialized computers with a broader operating minimum and maximum temperatures between -40 ?C and +80 ?C. Thanks largely to its robust milled construction, resistance to shocks and vibrations, and reliable jointing that prevents water and dust from entering the device, the system is ideal for service with armed forces and under demanding conditions. Moreover, the company will show its MD1219 / MD1519 / MD1919 displays, which are ready to be installed onto 19″ racks. They are offered in standard size or in the X-version. The latter is equipped with a screen against dust, water, sand and soil. Another interesting product will be the Vehicle Iridium – a system installed in a vehicle that transfers collected data via the Iridium worldwide satellite network. Just as all our other products so also the body of this system was milled in our own CNC Center from a single aluminium piece, while water and dust resistance are deemed a matter of course. Among the highlights will be a product from a series of tailor-made production – the PC DRAGON-1 industrial panel with 15″ TFT touch screen, and the IP64/65 covers and the IP66 connector covers. The panel is exceptionally suitable for dusty and damp environments.

Aqeri from Sweden is coming to present a line of products such as a ruggedized computer, monitor and keyboard, switches All these are suitable for use under adverse conditions. They are characterized by robust design, resistance to shocks, vibrations, dust and corrosion, low radiation levels, and silent operation. They can also be employed in extremely low temperatures. Being the sales representative for the U.S.-based Peli in Slovakia, Q PRODUCTS will also display Peli’s specialized transport cases and professional hand-held lights. The cases are waterproof and dustproof, and they are suitable for transporting weapons and diverse sensitive military devices. They have been an indispensable aid in service with armed forces deployed on operations for over 10 years. Our specialty is to install diverse electronic equipment into the case according to our customers’ requirements.

S.P.M. Liberec will exhibit its modular webbing system, backpacks, pouches and vests for soldiers. The Slovak company OBUV-ŠPECIÁL is to present its latest boots designed for tough climatic conditions for soldiers serving in desert or extremely cold environments with advanced insulation layers. PYRA, a traditional supplier of products serving the needs of power-wielding ministries, will exhibit a wide range of interesting products from the field of specialized equipment and bomb disposal equipment.

DICOM, from the MESIT Uherské Hradiště Group, will demonstrate its mobile EPM multiple bank radio station, designated as RF 13250, with enhanced resistance against radio-electronic warfare, which is suitable for modernizing the existing wheeled and tracked combat platforms, as well as the PR 20 personal radio station for voice and data communications in difficult terrain and buildings, one designed for operational groups up to 30 people.

Audiopro will, apart from the traditionally exhibited specialized transport boxes, made by the U.S.-based SKB Cases, also present a new line of communication systems. These particularly concern wireless systems – headsets for clear digital two-way communications, manufactured by HM Electronics, as well as miniature technologies produced by the Swiss-based PHONAK Communication – ear receivers specially designed for completely hidden wireless communication, one functioning on the basis of an inductive loop. This is the world’s only system resistant to electromagnetic jamming. An absolute innovation will be a demonstration of SATLYNX’s self-acquiring satellite system, which is aimed at transferring data – providing mobile connection via the satellite (audio, video, internet, fax, telephone). The system can be applied for crisis or emergency communications, and can be tactically deployed anywhere in the terrain. Also, it can be used to provide temporary connections or connections between companies. The system was designed with emphasis on maximum flexibility and simplicity of use. Its robust antenna can establish a wide-spectrum connection in less then 5 minutes by pressing just a single button. The system will be presented in an outer area and can be tested by the customers.

Being a long-term supplier of detection instruments for chemical agents, ORITEST will show its entire manufacturing programme in the field of simple individual detection instruments. Undoubtedly, ORITEST’s key exhibit will be the SCHP Chemical Observer Set, which contains, among other things, a new state-of-the-art CHP-5 chemical agent verification device that has already been incorporated into the inventory of the Army of the Czech Republic. The company wants to exploit the possibilities of IDEB 2008, while demonstrating the qualities of its products to potential customers in Slovakia. EGO Zlín uses a comprehensive biological protection system, ranging from protection of patients during their transport, through protection of rescue personnel, to hospitalization of patients and subsequent decontamination. The company will present a new indispensable component part of this complex system, especially its oxygen-pressurized balaclava protecting the respiratory system of the rescue team against highly virulent viruses.

Quadriq will demonstrate its S2000 security system, an advanced integrated security system based on IP technologies, that integrates a whole range of systems providing input control, timely warning and intervention reporting, camera monitoring, security foot patrol tracking, technical failure reporting, workstation management control, visitor registration, as well as application of other systems. Akermann Electronic Praha will introduce its portfolio of products designed for demanding mechanical and climatic conditions, with a special emphasis on notebooks, PC tablets and displays. Dolch Computer Systems will, for the first time, present its new line of notebooks, such as Dolch NotePAC Duo and ruggedized PC tablet Dolch NotePAC TPC. Equally interesting will be the line of products by the UK-based Barrett, which specializes in voice, fax, e-mail message delivery equipment, GPS, digital and analogue protection. SecuriLas Bratislava will, among other things, exhibit a new mobile modular monitoring system known as M3Syst, which is produced by Switzerland’s Securiton. The system is aimed at protecting facilities threatened temporarily by sabotage or terrorist attacks. In addition, it will demonstrate the OnGuard software package developed by U.S. Lenel Systems International as an open and reliable security system enabling you to promptly locate events and people. The Polish-based PAG will present a unique vehicle of European prominence – the Mobile Monitoring Center (MMC) incorporates advanced technologies of leading manufacturers in human and event surveillance and reporting. The system processes pictures and supports wireless signal transfers through high frequency connections and the GPRS. The processing of outputs of thermal cameras and direction microphones is a matter of course.

ELTECO Žilina will exhibit the EMC screened server with compatible PUMA computers as a computer system of IBM standards that is equipped with security elements preventing information leakage.

If RETIA Pardubice meets the conditions of the MPO ČR for foreign presentations, then, undoubtedly, the upgraded SURN CZ radar vehicle of the 2K12 KUB air defence missile system will belong among the most interesting exhibits at IDEB 2008. The SURN vehicle is a radar vehicle built on a tracked chassis with a control and homing radar. It is part and parcel of the mobile 2K12 KUB system. The SURN CZ vehicle, manufactured by RETIA, covers upgraded vehicle electronic systems and completely new control and homing radar electronics, new communication components, and a new operator workstation.

BUMAR Group is coming to present its line of products within its extensive exhibition area. And so will the Slovak Defence Industry Association (SDIA). Within the exhibition area assigned to the members of the Slovak Defence Industry Association, companies under DMD GROUP will show the results of their current manufacturing programmes. Developed by KONŠTRUKTA-Defence, the new ZUZANA A1 155mm self-propelled howitzer is expected to have its international premiere.

VOP Trenčín will show its redesigned UTD 20 progressive engine with hybrid drive (combined diesel engine and electric motor). The main components of the UTD engine include: the CUMMINS turbo-diesel engine, the VACON electric motor/generator, DIGITAL LOGIC’s MICROSPACE control system, an inverter, 6 ZEBRA battery blocks, and the body frame for housing the main components of the hybrid engine.

The exhibition profile has seen a marked increase in the number of wheeled vehicles and aviation equipment, including specialized armoured vehicles manufactured by MAN, Mercedes, Tatra, Tanax, Land Rover, IVECO, Patria, General Dynamics and equipment by EADS. Land Rover will offer its latest generation of Land Rover DEFENDER 110 SW. Being the market leader in intelligent intralogistics management systems, STILL will introduce its high-performance and extremely robust RX 70 forklift truck, which combines the advantages of economical hybrid technologies. Thus, the result is the lowest consumption in the given market segment – only 2,5 l/h.