Security

In photos: Astana hosts KADEX-2018 international arms show

Attendees included 40 government delegations and 318 international defence contractors.

By Aydar Ashimov

2018-05-30

Tanks on active duty in Kazakhstan can be seen at KADEX-2018 in Astana May 24. [Aydar Ashimov]

An armoured medical evacuation vehicle, designed by Kazakhstan Engineering to render first aid and evacuate wounded combatants, is shown at KADEX-2018 in Astana May 24. [Aydar Ashimov]

Children and adults sit at the controls of a Kazakh light aircraft at KADEX-2018 in Astana May 24. [Aydar Ashimov]

The Cobra combat vehicle, seen here at KADEX-2018 in Astana on May 24, is designed for patrols, escorts and destruction of lightly armoured targets, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Defence. The Turkish-designed vehicle is built in Kazakhstan. [Aydar Ashimov]

Kazakh-made gear for security and counter-terrorism personnel is shown at KADEX-2018 May 24 in Astana. [Aydar Ashimov]

The Karakurt combat robot is an intelligent fighting machine capable of substituting for a human combatant. It can move along an assigned route without the guidance of a human operator, find a target on its own and decide on its destruction. The Kazakh-built robot is shown in Astana May 24. [Aydar Ashimov]

Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering presents its next-generation wheeled combat vehicle during KADEX-2018 in Astana May 24 as visitors take pictures. [Aydar Ashimov]

A Turkish exhibitor at KADEX-2018 in Astana May 24 demonstrates military equipment worn by motorised rifle troops. [Aydar Ashimov]

Visitors to KADEX-2018 look through Swedish weapons sights in Astana May 24. [Aydar Ashimov]

Kazakh-made Sarbaz and Aytas combat helmets are on dsiplay in Astana May 24 at KADEX-2018. [Aydar Ashimov]

ASTANA -- Astana last week hosted 40 governmental delegations from around the world for the KADEX-2018 international arms show.

The exhibition, which ran May 23-26, saw 318 defence contractors from 28 countries present their wares, including IOMAX USA from the United States, Elbit Systems from Israel and Airbus Group from the Netherlands, among others.

"The business agreements and contracts signed at the exhibition will contribute to the development of international co-operation and partnership among domestic and foreign enterprises in the defence-industrial complex," Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said at the opening of the exhibition May 23.

"This will also assist in attracting investments, as well as increasing the export potential and competitiveness of the Kazakh economy as a whole," he said.

The Karakurt combat robot, built by Kazakhstan Engineering, is shown at the KADEX-2018 arms show in Astana May 24. More than 4,000 visitors attended the exhibition this year, according to organisers. [Aydar Ashimov]

KADEX is the only trade fair of its kind in Central Asia, he said.

"The exhibition has been held [biennially] since 2010," Kazakh Deputy Minister of Defence and Aerospace Industry Aset Kurmangaliyev told Caravanserai.

"Kazakhstan's defence industry is making an effort to enter a new level of development, and the KADEX-2018 exhibition will provide an impetus for this development," he said.

The main objectives of the arms show are to sign new contracts, attract weapons developers and manufacturers to Kazakhstan, and promote defence hardware produced in Kazakhstan in foreign markets, Kurmangaliyev said.