IDEX 2027 and NAVDEX: dates, venue and where your company fits

Whether you build for land, air or sea, or the software behind them, part of IDEX 2027 is built around your product.

When is IDEX 2027?

IDEX and NAVDEX 2027 run from 25 to 29 January 2027 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. IDEX is held every two years, and this is the first edition since February 2025.

You may still see 21 to 25 January in some places. Those were the dates in an ADNEC Group press release from February 2025. The official IDEX and NAVDEX websites now give 25 to 29 January 2027, and those are the dates to plan around.

What is IDEX?

IDEX is a tri-service defence exhibition, organised by ADNEC Group in association with the UAE Ministry of Defence and Tawazun Council. It is held in Abu Dhabi, at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

What is the difference between IDEX and NAVDEX?

IDEX is the tri-service exhibition at the centre of the week. NAVDEX, the Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition, runs alongside it and takes part of the show onto the water.

For its 2025 edition, NAVDEX described its format as a purpose-built exhibition hall, the ADNEC Marina for visiting naval ships, a pontoon for small craft, daily water demonstrations and an outdoor display area. NAVDEX 2025 had live-action naval demonstrations and naval vessels on display.

NAVDEX lists five ways to put your product in front of delegations and visitors:

• A stand inside the exhibition hall, or an outside pavilion
• Your vessels or craft berthed on the water
• A place in the live on-water demonstrations
• Your systems demonstrated aboard visiting naval vessels
• An outside stand or static display

What else is part of IDEX 2027?

Beyond the stands, IDEX 2027 brings these into the week:

• IDEX NXT, the defence AI platform, making its debut at this edition. Our IDEX NXT article covers its sectors and its four zones.
• The International Defence Conference (IDC), a conference for defence and security leaders.
• IDEX & NAVDEX Talks, which bring thought leaders, policy makers, researchers and futurists together for discussion.
• The CBRNE Hub, a dedicated hub for discussing CBRNE solutions.
• Live Demos & Tech Showcases, where exhibitors present their solutions through live-action demonstrations and real-world simulations.

Which part of IDEX 2027 fits your company?

Here is our reading of where each kind of company fits, based on what IDEX and NAVDEX publish about each part of the show.

Bringing several companies from one country? Read what it takes to launch a national pavilion abroad.

Who will you meet at NAVDEX?

At NAVDEX, meet government decision makers, OEMs and international delegations, and take part in its innovation awards, where new products can be recognised by decision makers.

Want to exhibit at IDEX 2027?

Bridge Exhibitions, created by Arabian World Events and Orchestra Media, supports companies going into new markets through shows like IDEX.

Tell us what you want to show and which part of the floor you have in mind. Write to karan@bridgeexhibitions.com or start a conversation.

Planning beyond Abu Dhabi? Our 2027 calendar covers the other shows running next year, and every show we work with is on the Shows page.

About Bridge Exhibitions

Bridge Exhibitions is an international sales, marketing, event management and market development business created by Arabian World Events and Orchestra Media. Its multilingual team helps event organisers grow international participation, develop new markets, and connect with exhibitors and industry partners worldwide.