Bahrain will host a conference on military alliances in the Middle East, in parallel with the Bahrain International Defense Exhibition 2017, which will be held in Manama on October 16-17, with the participation of around 120 companies supplying and manufacturing military equipment and systems technology.

The Bahrain International Defense Exhibition 2017 is held under the patronage of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and chaired by Brigadier General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The Middle East Military Alliance Conference, known as MEMAC, will gather leading regional and international military leaders and diplomats.

Chairman of the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (DERASAT) – one of the organizers of the conference – Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, said that MEMAC would highlight the crucial role that can be played by military alliances in the defense and collective security of the region.

The conference will kick off on October 16, with the participation of senior military figures, representatives of the defense community around the world and diplomats residing in Bahrain. Organizers expect over 3000 international visitors to attend both the exhibition and the conference.

The event will also host unique features, which include live parachute exercises, shooting range exercises, warship and military vehicle display.