Abu Dhabi, February 18, 2025 - On the occasion of IDEX 2025, Franco-Emirati cooperation in defense and security is enriched by a new initiative.
With over 1,350 exhibitors from 65 countries and 130,000 trade visitors expected, this 17ᵉ edition confirms its status as the sector's must-attend event. France will occupy a prominent place, with the presence of 75 companies, placing it in 5ᵉ place among the nations represented.
GICAT (Groupement des Industrie Françaises de Défense et de Sécurité terrestres et aéroterrestres), a key player in the sector, is federating the largest French pavilion ever set up by a French group at an international defense show. This is a tangible sign of the importance of Franco-Emirati relations in the field of defense and security.
As a reminder, the United Arab Emirates and France signed an intergovernmental agreement in 2008 establishing a permanent French military presence in the United Arab Emirates. Today, the French forces (FFEAU) number 700 personnel and have three establishments: a naval base in Abu Dhabi, air base 104 within the UAE's Al Dhafra air base, and the 5° Régiment de Cuirassiers (5°RC), based in Zayed Military City. They are under the command of the French Forces in the United Arab Emirates (COMFOR FFEAU), Rear Admiral Hugues Lainé, who also holds the position of ALINDIEN (commander of the maritime zone covering the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf).
This intergovernmental agreement has been accompanied by industrial and technological cooperation in the field of land, naval and air armaments, with the United Arab Emirates becoming France's leading export trading partner over the last ten years (21.3 billion euros).
In light of the current international crises, GICAT and its Emirati counterpart EDCC (Emirates Defense Companies Council), affiliated to the Tawazun Council, have announced the creation of an industrial task force dedicated to future combat.
With this in mind, the two industrial groups today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening industrial synergies between the two countries.
About GICAT
GICAT, a trade group founded in 1978, has over 480 members; major groups, ETIs, SMEs and since the creation of its start-up gas pedal GENERATE in 2017, 70 young start-ups. Its members, French land and air-land defense and security manufacturers, cover a broad spectrum of industrial, research, service and consulting activities for the benefit of military and civilian, national and international components.
Press contact GICAT
📌 Delphine SAMPIC - Communications and Events Director - France delphine.sampic@gicat.fr
📌 Amélie SESCOUSSE - Event Communications Manager - France amelie.sescousse@gicat.fr
