Qatar hosted the eighth Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX) in March 2024 to highlight ways to protect shipping in the region.
The biennial event, held over three days, is a platform for industry professionals and military and government officials to showcase products, exchange ideas, and discuss challenges and opportunities in the realm of maritime defense.
Two hundred companies showcased their products in nine pavilions occupied by countries such as Qatar, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany. Countries also displayed warships and submarines at Hamad Port in the Arabian Gulf.
Representative from Qatar’s Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, Ground Forces and military colleges also attended.
DIMDEX 2024 added a conference called “Prospects for Economic Growth in Light of Security Challenges and Their Global Impact.” Attendees discussed pressing international challenges pertinent to maritime security, including piracy, smuggling, human trafficking, port security, shipping lanes and the security of underwater communication cables.
Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QANF) is seeking to boost its capability to safeguard the country’s maritime interests and coastline. QANF operate a flotilla of naval vessels, patrol boats, corvettes and support vessels equipped with modern navigation, weapons and communications systems.
Staff Maj. Gen. Abdullah Hassan Al Sulaiti, commander of QANF, said DIMDEX has continuously raised its profile since it was inaugurated in 2008 and serves Qatar’s aspirations and ambitions to be a security leader.
Qatar enjoys robust defense partnerships with the United States and has hosted U.S. Central Command’s forward headquarters at Al Udeid Air Base since 2009.
Sources: Al Raya, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Al Jazeera, Qatar News Agency