More than 100 companies are expected to participate in this inaugural Exhibition. To date more than 70 percent of the 6,500 sqm of the hall has already been taken up. DCNS, SAAB, Thales, Navantia, Atlas Elektronik, MBDA, Lockheed Martin, Oto Melara, Sunlight Germanos, The Thyssen Group, EuroTorp and British Aerospace to mention but a few, were quick to select prime locations in this most important maritime defence exhibition for the region. Many more companies have or are in the process of reserving space.

Running concurrently with the Exhibition will be a 2-day conference being arranged in partnership by QMDI the Organisers, with the Royal United Services Institute. The Conference Programme with the theme "Challenges, Capabilities and Cooperation" will provide Naval Officers, leaders of industry, academics, researchers and trade professionals with a forum to learn, evaluate and discuss the strategic challenges, defence and security concepts, together with technological capabilities and requirements for the region's navies.

The Commander of Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, Staff Brigadier (Sea) Mohammed N. Al Mohannadi has personally invited more than 55 of his fellow Chiefs of Navy from the MENA region and beyond to attend this important Event. These VIP Delegations will be scheduled to call on exhibitors to evaluate the latest technologies that are currently available and discuss their own national requirements.

There will also be various networking opportunities during the planned social programme for visiting Delegations to meet with exhibitors to establish and further strengthen business ties.