BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Monday 25 Nov 2013 – The fourth edition of the Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX 2013) will feature a large number of local and international newcomers participating in the premier defence and security event in the region, with over 90 international exhibitors comprising over 140 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and service providers from over 30 countries, the organisers- Ministry of Defence (MinDef) and Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) – said during a press conference yesterday.
The public can also look forward to air demonstrations in which various regional air force units will display their capabilities alongside the military might of the United States Marine Corps, in addition to static displays of latest military aircraft.
Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary at the MinDef cum Chairman of the Bridex 2013 Organising Committee said an impressive number of local companies are scheduled to participate in the exhibition, including the CAE Brunei Multi Purpose Training Centre and Piper Aircraft – who are among the 10 leading local companies in the defence sector.
The exhibition, she added, provides an important opportunity for defence manufacturers to showcase their technologies and systems that are particularly suited to this regional environment.
“It also fosters links between those manufacturers and local companies and provides a valuable platform for the local companies,” she pointed out.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of RBTS cum Bridex 2013 Exhibition Director, Hjh Rosmawati Hj Manaf said that although the biennial event faces regional competition from seasoned and similar high-rated defence exhibitions, Bridex has successfully sustained itself over the years by identifying itself as a “premier and boutique defence exhibition in the region”.
Hjh Rosmawati said Bridex 2013 will experience a 40 per cent increase in the number of newcomers, who are slated to come from Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Taiwan and South Africa.
Leading companies and OEMs from countries including the United Kingdom, the US, Canada, Germany, France, Turkey and China as well as regional players Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are participating.
The theme for this year’s Bridex event is, ‘Bridging the Capability Gap’, Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah said, as she highlighted the role of technology in addressing traditional and nontraditional national defence needs in line with current MinDef development priorities.
“Technology that maximizes responsiveness, deployment and agility are highly desirable and relevant to security and defence forces,” she said.
She then added that there will be an increase in the number of foreign delegates when compared to previous years, with over 200 officials from more than 30 countries having registered.
As in previous years, the exhibition will be preceded by a conference on December 2, with an impressive lineup of speakers. The conference will be open to the public and there will be no registration fees. The opening ceremony will be held on December 3 at the Dome of the Bridex Hall. The exhibition will be open to trade visitors only on December 3, 4 and 5, while the public are invited to visit on December 5-6.
In addition to static displays open free of admission at the Royal Brunei Airforce Base in Kampong Rimba, spectacular air demonstrations are set to take place throughout the event featuring aircraft such as the KT-1 Woongbi PC-7, Su030MKM, F-15, SAAB JAS 39 GRIBEN, V-22 Osprey and the Royal Brunei Air Force’s new S70i Black Hawk.
According to Col (U) Hj Hamzah bin Sahat, Deputy Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), the air demonstration at Bridex in Jerudong will be from December 4-6, between 9.30 am and 11.30am. Meanwhile, the static display exhibition for the public at the Rimba Air Base will take place from 2pm to 5pm. Ample parking space at Rimba Air Base will be provided.
This year Bridex will also introduce a Solutions Seminar, which aims to enhance business facilitation and reach for exhibitors by providing an opportunity for them to conduct keynote presentations about their company, products and services.
Tickets for Bridex 2013 are available for the public to purchase from the RBTS head office at the Setia Kenangan Complex in Kiulap, selected Baiduri Bank branches, the Bridex office at the Bridex International Conference Centre in Jerudong and at the RBTS Paintball Arena at the Jerudong Sports Complex. The tickets are priced at $10 per adult and $5 per child. Ticket prices for trade visitors are $30 for half-day admission and $50 for full-day admission. Three-day admission tickets for trade visitors are $80.
The parking and pick-up points are to be situated at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Institut Teknologi Brunei and the National Stadium in Berakas.
Also speaking at the press conference yesterday were Col (L) Muzri bin Haji Mokhsin, Director of the Centre ofScience & Technology Research & Development; Ampuan Yura Kasumawati bte Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Adnan, the Acting Assistant Director and Zailani Yusof, the Deputy Exhibition Director.
