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Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition

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Coordinates: 04°56′59.8″N 114°50′05.9″E / 4.949944°N 114.834972°E / 4.949944; 114.834972
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04°56′59.8″N 114°50′05.9″E / 4.949944°N 114.834972°E / 4.949944; 114.834972

BRIDEX International Conference Centre in 2014
A US Air Force Globemaster III at Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba, for BRIDEX 2011
11 Squadron RBAirF S70i Blackhawk static display at Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba during BRIDEX 2013

The Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition and Conference (BRIDEX), originally Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition,[1] was a biennial defence and security exhibition and conference held in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Involving all three service branches of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), it started in 2007,[2] and was launched by the Ministry of Defence (MinDef).

The final BRIDEX event to take place was from 3 to 7 December 2013. The Ministry of Defence appointed Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS) as organisers of the event.

Venue

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In 2009, the BRIDEX International Conference Centre, Jerudong[1][3] was purpose-built for BRIDEX events on a 26 acres (11 hectares) site near the Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club, five minutes from the Empire Hotel and Country Club. Exhibitors and visitors benefit from 10,000 square metres (110,000 square feet) of modern air-conditioned exhibition halls;[4] 5,000 square metres (54,000 square feet) adjoining apron space for static displays; a mobility park and marina for live demonstrations of equipment and systems; chalets, restaurants and hospitality facilities. The conceptual design was conceived within three hours, and the construction was completed within nine months. The building complex was design by its principal architect, Ar. Masri Haji Mohd Taha, a British-trained Bruneian Chartered Architect.

History

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BRIDEX 2007

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The first BRIDEX took place from 31 May to 2 June 2007 at the International Convention Centre,[2] established and organised by the Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam. The event received the participation of 108 companies from sixteen countries,[5] and 11,000 members of the public visited the event during the three-day period.

BRIDEX 2009

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The second BRIDEX took place from 12 to 15 August 2009.[6] The Ministry of Defence had appointed Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS),[5] the solely authorised procurement agency of sensitive and strategic goods for the country, as the organisers of the event, with an increase in exhibitors (approximately 250 companies from twenty-five countries) showcasing their products.[1] There were also rises in the number of visitors from previous event (14,000). On the opening day, Wednesday 12, personnel from the Special Task Force of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) carried out a demonstration of their military skills to commemorate the opening of the then new BRIDEX International Conference Centre.[1]

BRIDEX 2011

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Its third occurrence, BRIDEX 2011 took place from 6 to 9 July 2011.[2] Following the previous event, exhibitors were again limited to approximately 250 companies, however, the 2011 event held special significance as it coincided with the golden anniversary of RBAF.[4] During BRIDEX 2011, the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) celebrated its 46th anniversary at the Muara Naval Base,[7] in which twenty-four warships from ten countries were invited.[7] Notably, this was the first time the USA attended BRIDEX, which was co-located at Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba; the United States Air Force (USAF) sent General Dynamics F-16s from Misawa Air Base, Japan to conduct aerial demonstrations.[8] Furthermore, a Boeing CH-47SD/F Chinook from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was sent for static display within Hangar B of the airbase,[9] and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) sent a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29N from 19 Squadron.[10]

BRIDEX 2013

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BRIDEX 2013 was the fourth and final iteration of this event. Originally scheduled to take place from 8 to 12 October 2013, it was deferred and took place from 3 to 7 December 2013. It was again held at the BRIDEX International Conference Centre,[11] and co-located at Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba.

Notably, BRIDEX 2013 seen the introduction of a newer Blackhawk helicopter variant into the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), the Polish-manufactured Sikorsky S70i Blackhawk,[12] unveiled by His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei.[13] The USA again had participation, sending a single USAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster III of the 545th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii,[14] a United States Marine Corps (USMC) Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey, and a Lockheed Martin KC-130J Super Hercules.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Royalties launch BRIDEX 2009". BT.com.bn. Brunei-Muara, Brunei Darussalam: The Brunei Times, Brunei Times Sdn Bhd. 12 August 2009. Archived from the original on 8 May 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "BRIDEX 2011". BRIDEX2011. 2011. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011.
  3. ^ "BRIDEX – Armada Properties". ArmadaProperties.com.bn. Kampung Rimba, Bandar Seri Begawan BE3119, Brunei Darussalam: Armada Properties Sdn Bhd. 2017. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. ^ a b Al-Haadi Abu Bakar (16 August 2009). "BRIDEX 2011 will be bigger, better – This year's exhibition has exceeded expectations, says head of RBTS". BT.com.bn. Brunei-Muara, Brunei Darussalam: The Brunei Times, Brunei Times Sdn Bhd. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  5. ^ a b Waleed PD Mahdini (6 December 2007). "Bridex 2009 to feature more exhibitors". BT.com.bn. Langkawi, Malaysia: The Brunei Times, Brunei Times Sdn Bhd. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  6. ^ "BRIDEX 2009". BRIDEX2009.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Royal Brunei Navy celebrates 46th anniversary at International Defence Exhibition BRIDEX 2011". ArmyRecognition.com. Army Recognition. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  8. ^ Staff Sgt. Marie Brown, 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs (7 July 2011). "Misawa demonstrates air power for the first time in Brunei". PacAF.af.mil. Pacific Air Forces, United States Air Force. Retrieved 29 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "BRIDEX aircraft display at Air Force Base, Rimba". Ceritakitani9.wordpress.com. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  10. ^ John Mounce (photographer) (9 July 2011). M43-17 – Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29N (9-12SD). AirHistory.net (photograph). Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  11. ^ "BRIDEX 2013 – 4th Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition and Conference". BRIDEX2013.com. n.d. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk in Angkatan Tentara Udara Diraja Brunei / Royal Brunei Air Force". Helis.com. Helicopter History Site. n.d. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  13. ^ "History of Royal Brunei Air Force". MinDef.gov.bn. Royal Brunei Air Force Headquarters, Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba: Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Hickam airmen arrive in Brunei for BRIDEX 2013". PacAF.af.mil. Pacific Air Forces, United States Air Force. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  15. ^ "131203-M-CE123-022". Marines.mil. United States Marine Corps. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
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