IDET
24.-26.5. 2023

Preparations for the new edition of the International Fair of Defence and Security Technologies IDET are in full swing. Why should companies from the defence and security industry come to Brno? What news are prepared? This is what we asked the CEO’s IDET consultant, Reserve Army General Pavel Štefka.

An obligatory question for a start. Could you explain to our readers what is your connection to IDET?
I used to come to Brno to every fair and I perceived it – and I still do – as the most important meeting of experts from the defence and security industry. However, I had a feeling that it was sometimes seen as a regional issue for the Czech and Slovak Republics. For me it is also a regional event, but rather for the region of Central and Eastern Europe with further international outreach. Therefore, we agreed to cooperate with the management of the Brno Exhibition Centre and we would like to raise awareness about the importance of the trade fair for the Czech defence industry and for international cooperation in this area.

What is specifically the importance of IDET for Czech companies and how to ensure a high participation of exhibitors? A does IDET indeed have a supra-regional role?
The importance of IDET for domestic companies is clear from its pro-export orientation. Statistics speak for themselves – more than three-quarters of their production go abroad and have increased by 30% from the previous year. In terms of export destination, it is gratifying that the companies  are succeeding to place the goods not only on third markets (Southeast Asia ca. 20%, same as the Middle East), but also the demanding European and American markets – such as the challenging USA market which was a destination of ten percent of our exports. Export could be even bigger, but many orders did not materialize because the companies failed to find suitable export routes, where the transit countries would grant a transit license without problems. And that is the role of the fair – IDET must become a gateway to new markets and a new platform for cooperation and partnership.

Focus on the Czech and Slovak armies is obviously important. Domestic and foreign companies will exhibit, if they have the opportunity to showcase their products to potential buyers. The Ministry of Defence presented at the armament conference a new medium-term plan and the resulting major programmes with an outlook up to 2025; this plan should be sufficient reason for companies from different sectors to participate in the fair. It is an excellent signal – the army wants to buy, and where else is the offer concentrated in such a force?

Next year, the DSEI exhibition will again be held in London. Do you see this trade fair as competition?
DSEI London really is one of the largest defence technology fairs, but it is really designed for different target groups with a different territorial focus. Of course it also supports local security industry, which is quite important in the UK. Our ambition is to establish IDET as a truly international event which is a meeting point of the defence and security industry in Central and Eastern Europe, the new NATO member countries. And when I look to the neighbouring countries and all of Central Europe, frankly I do not see a trade fair of the same format as IDET.

IDET is a place not only for business meetings ....
Definitely, and therefore we place great emphasis on economic diplomacy and try to get as many delegations and experts from the Czech Republic and especially from abroad, including NATO and the European Union. Patronage over IDET has been granted by the President of the Czech Republic, the Czech Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of the Senate of Parliament, Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Police, the General Directorate of the Fire Rescue Service, AOBP  and more. We are already contacting experts and delegates from this country and from abroad, particularly those from  NATO countries and the European Union. The planned participation of political leaders and experts responsible for acquisitions from the Czech Republic and abroad gives companies sufficient space for presentations of their portfolio and subsequent negotiations with representatives of ministries, the armed forces or the police and fire departments. For the visitors, the presence of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces is as important as the foreign military and ministerial delegations. Can you imagine how much time would be spent by the exhibiting companies if they were to arrange a meeting with these people and visit all these countries? Months, maybe years. For the most part would they would probably fail. At IDET they have the opportunity to meet them during a few days and that is certainly a great added value.

Preparations for the new edition of IDET and PYROS/ISET are in full swing. What sort of supporting programmes are you preparing?
Now I can reveal that after a four-year break, the Brno Exhibition Centre will again feature the demonstration polygon with the working title “IDET Arena”. The possibility to present their units and equipment to visitors will be given not only to the Czech Army, the Police and Fire Rescue departments, but also to the exhibitors. After a long time we also return to competition and awarding the best exhibits with the GOLDEN IDET. The supporting programme in cooperation with AFCEA will consist of conferences and seminars under the auspices of NATO and the EU, with the participation of leading specialists from around the world. Meetings at ministerial level within the V4 are planned not only at IDET, but also at the PYROS / ISET fairs. The University of Defence organizes their traditional CATE conference with significant international participation and we are preparing other interesting thematic areas resulting from the conclusions of our discussions and the needs of the IRS.

The participation of the general public at these events is not commonplace. What changes do you prepare for visitors?
This is a truly professional event with a very special focus, where the visitor traffic is regulated. However, based on past experience, we plan to open IDET and PYROS / ISET to the general public on the last day. The first two days of the fair should be only for professionals and members of the military. For the Army of the Czech Republic and exhibiting commercial firms, IDET is simply positive PR also towards the public. We also plan live television and radio feeds, and of course the participation of the media throughout the fair.

In short, IDET 2015 will be a trade fair enriched by new elements, a modern and for domestic and foreign firms an important event in terms of future acquisitions not only by the ACR, but also many foreign armies, police and fire departments, and international cooperation in the area of ​​defence and security industry. It is an opportunity for companies to show off their abilities to the heads of state, foreign delegations and experts from the military, police and fire departments, as well as the public.

Thank you for the interview!

Looking back at 2013

IDET as one of the largest trade fairs of its kind in Europe was attended by 302 exhibitors from 26 countries. The PYROS / ISET fairs had 100 exhibiting companies from 18 countries and their offer was interesting not only for professionals, but also for voluntary firemen. The Brno Exhibition Centre was visited by 26 056 visitors. Two thirds of them were registered professionals, but interest in the exhibits was also shown by the general public who could explore IDET for the first time in history. There was traditionally a high interest from the foreign partners, exhibitors’ stands were visited by more than a thousand foreign visitors. At the invitation of the Minister of Defence, the fair was attended by twenty-five foreign military delegations and other military and air attachés from twenty countries. The Slovak delegation was headed by the Minister of Defence, other delegations were led by Deputy Ministers of Defence, state secretaries, Chiefs of Staff, National Armament Directors and other senior military leaders. Some 150 journalists from 10 countries registered in the Press Centre during the three days.