President Ilham Aliyev Inaugurates ADEX-2024 and Securex Caspian at Baku Expo Center
Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev viewed the 5th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition “ADEX-2024” and the 14th International Exhibition for Internal Security, Safety, and Rescue Equipment “Securex Caspian” at the Baku Expo Center. The events, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense Industry and the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, have become key platforms for showcasing cutting-edge defense technologies and security solutions.
Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov and Minister of Defense Industry Vugar Mustafayev briefed President Aliyev on the significance and scale of this year’s exhibitions. Since its establishment in 2014, ADEX has continuously expanded, marking its 5th edition in 2024. Over the past decade, the exhibition has hosted numerous defense companies and attracted nearly 200 official delegations from more than 50 countries worldwide. The event has drawn over 30,000 visitors since its inception.
ADEX-2024, the largest defense exhibition in the region, highlights Azerbaijan’s growing military-industrial complex and underscores the country’s defense capabilities. This year, 218 companies from approximately 40 countries are participating, representing a diverse array of sectors within the defense industry. New participants in 2024 include Hungary, Qatar, Singapore, and Slovakia, who have joined the roster of countries showcasing their technologies.
President Aliyev first visited the “Azersilah” Defense Industry Holding pavilion, where advanced military products such as drones, automatic cannons, and training simulators were on display. He later toured pavilions from Belarus, Serbia, Turkiye, Slovakia, China, Pakistan, the UAE, Russia, Qatar, Ukraine, Israel, and other countries.
Notable participants included Turkiye’s Roketsan, specializing in missile and rocket technologies, and Turkish Aerospace, renowned for aerospace systems. Turkish defense companies such as Repkon, Meteksan, Aselsan, Baykar, and Dearsan Shipyard were also present, showcasing a range of advanced military products. Israel was represented by prominent companies like Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, IAI, Elbit Systems, and Uvision, which exhibited state-of-the-art defense technologies. Russia’s Rosoboronexport, Pakistan’s Global Industrial Defense Solutions, and China’s CPMIEC also participated, along with defense firms from Slovakia, the UAE, and Qatar.
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense made its debut appearance at the exhibition, presenting modern weapon systems. Additionally, in the open-air section, “Azersilah” JSC displayed its range of armored vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including reconnaissance and kamikaze drones.
The Sumgayit Technology Park (STP), one of Azerbaijan’s largest industrial hubs, showcased its innovative capabilities in arms production, munitions, and military training equipment. STP, known for its 30 production facilities, emphasizes technological advancement and regional leadership.
Italy also made its inaugural appearance at ADEX, with the “Exclases Group” representing “Leonardo Helicopters.” The company’s “Agusta Westland 109” helicopter was featured prominently at the exhibition.
Turkish company Baykar presented its renowned Bayraktar UAV products outdoors, offering visitors a closer look at the “Bayraktar TB2” and “Bayraktar KALKAN.”
President Aliyev concluded his visit by inspecting the military products and equipment displayed in front of the Baku Expo Center, further solidifying Azerbaijan’s position as a significant player in the global defense industry.
