• Idex 2021 was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from February 21 to February 25. Victor Besa / The National
    Idex 2021 was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from February 21 to February 25. Victor Besa / The National
  • Deals worth billions of dirhams were sealed at the event. Victor Besa / The National
    Deals worth billions of dirhams were sealed at the event. Victor Besa / The National
  • It was the first major in-person exhibition held in the capital since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Victor Besa / The National
    It was the first major in-person exhibition held in the capital since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Victor Besa / The National
  • Social distancing was a must on day one of Idex. Victor Besa / The National
    Social distancing was a must on day one of Idex. Victor Besa / The National
  • Up to 1,000 defence companies took part in the five-day event. Victor Besa / The National
    Up to 1,000 defence companies took part in the five-day event. Victor Besa / The National
  • Idex took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National
    Idex took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National
  • Idex 2021 ran from February 21 to February 25. Victor Besa / The National
    Idex 2021 ran from February 21 to February 25. Victor Besa / The National
  • Signs inside the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National
    Signs inside the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National
  • Military vehicles on display at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National
    Military vehicles on display at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Victor Besa / The National
  • Attendees at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National
    Attendees at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

UAE

Idex 2021 opens in Abu Dhabi – in pictures

First major in-person exhibition held in Abu Dhabi since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic

The National

February 21, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Idex 2021, the first major in-person exhibition held in Abu Dhabi since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, opened its doors to delegates on Sunday morning.

The International Defence Exhibition (Idex), a biennial display of the most advanced military hardware in the world, is expected to see numerous deals worth billions of dirhams signed over the course of the event.

The Middle East’s largest defence fair, which runs until Thursday, will gather top industry players eager to showcase their latest technology.

Missile defence systems, drones, counter-unmanned aerial vehicle systems, cybersecurity tools and artificial intelligence technology – which play a vital role in modern warfare – will be in demand at the International Defence Exhibition, according to analysts.

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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