IDEX 2021

IDEX 2021, compared to previous editions, had a few challenges to overcome, most prominently a global pandemic that killed the majority of comparable events, both in the US and in Europe. Despite this obstacle, the organizers were able to welcome a wide range of exhibitors, including some newcomers. On the other hand, some traditional presences either decided not to attend or were forced to leave empty booths, leaving an edition with few new releases. Yet, there was some stuff that is not so common and is still cool to look at.

Russian companies are a common and interesting presence at any IDEX event. Kalashnikov Concern had a very well-organized and active area with all their models, including the latest releases such as the AK-19 and the MP-155 shotgun. Here we’ll look at a less familiar (and pronounceable) name: Rosoboronexport.

Yugoimport is a Serbian state-owned company that showcases at IDEX, under a single umbrella, a variety of defense-related products from the country. The firearms at the booth are manufactured by the well-known Zastava Arms company, although the models showcased usually aren’t the ones exported for the civilian market.

IDEX has always been an important event for the defense industry players across the globe. Few countries never attended, and one of these was Israel. In 2021, thanks to the Abraham Accords, this has changed. Here we’ll see a few products of EMTAN, short for EMTAN Karmiel Ltd, a name not so familiar for most readers, yet OEM of thousands of commonly available components.

The past year, and the beginning of the current one, has seen plenty of in-person events being canceled due to the pandemic. The organizers of IDEX and NAVDEX, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, decided instead to put in place rigorous health protocols and still welcome the biggest players of the defense industry. Here we’ll first see the products of Caracal, the local firearm manufacturer, part of the Edge Group ( formerly EDIC).