Turkish defense fair begins today with giant weapons manufacturers

Featured defense exhibitors at the event are expected include US companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and General Electric, as well as Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport. Turkish manufacturers, including the state-owned Turkish Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKEK),  Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), ASELSAN and HAVELSAN will also be in attendance. Producers of components required for the manufacture of aircraft, missiles, warships, armored cars and the like will also be at the fair. Exhibitors will range from the manufacturers of lethal weapons and equipment to IT companies.

Official military delegations have been invited, and a number of high-ranking ministers, politicians and defense industry procurement specialists will also be present at the event. Defense ministers from Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as an additional 11 African nations, are expected to attend the fair.  While there are no major global arms manufacturers in Turkey, the country is amongst the top arms importers; therefore, in addition to putting domestic manufacturers in contact with arms buyers, the fair plays a significant role in facilitating the Turkish military's huge arms procurement requirements. IDEF'09 is backed by the Turkish government and will be organized in cooperation with the Foundation to Strengthen the Turkish Armed Forces (TSKGV) and fair organizer TÜYAP.