Event Introduction:

A regional first, Soldier Modernisation Middle East will tackle the core issues associated with equipping the combat soldier of the future to meet the challenges of a transforming battlefield. By attending this exclusive gathering of experts and specialists from around the world, you will be able to explore the latest advances in cutting-edge technologies and approaches to systems integration for future soldier systems in a focused environment.

Network with peers from around the world and exchange views and perspectives on enhancing future combat capability. You can also look forward to receiving onsite demonstrations from exhibitors showcasing their latest products and solutions.

Military planners are increasingly aware of the new threats emerging from asymmetrical fighting and urban guerilla warfare. These new challenges demand new and enhanced capabilities for the dismounted combat soldier,

The aim is to enhance soldier lethality and protection and thereby enable battle command functions to be performed with maximum effectiveness in the 21st century’s battlefield environment. But how can lethality and protection be enhanced without further burdening the soldier? The answer is a systems-wide solution –modernising the soldier system itself.

The future soldier in the dismounted close combat environment

Threats on the battle-field are changing. The emerging threats from asymmetrical fighting and urban guerilla warfare are transforming the realm of the warfighter. The dismounted combat soldier of the future will need to adapt to widely differing threats and environments. Playing a critical role in the information and command chain, the soldier will need the capacity to identify and defeat targets with surgical precision in daylight or at night.

• What are the challenges of the 21st century battlefield?
• What lessons have been learned from recent conflicts?
• How do you forecast future combat capability requirements?
• How can user-expectations be matched?
• What are the features of the ideal head-borne system?
• How can night vision capability be optimised?
• What are the approaches to information sharing and security? ?
• What is the role of robotics?
• What new possibilities are offered by nanotechnologies and how do these impact future planning?
• What are the affects on doctrine and training?

These are all fundamental questions requiring a systematic approach that draws on the expertise of those with specialist backgrounds and experience. . Soldier Modernisation Middle East will for the first time ever in the Middle East region bring together senior-decision makers and the best in expertise from around the world to discuss the core issues that surround the modernisation of the future combat solider. We will explore and analyse the network-centric approach that is set to revolutionise the operational effectiveness of the future soldier by significantly enhancing lethality, survivability and sustainability.

Soldier Modernisation Middle East will bring high-end perspectives on:

• The future battlefield and the likely challenges to future combat forces
• Experiences and lessons from recent conflicts involving asymmetric warfare
• Future force structures and the characteristics of Leaner and Meaner forces
• The raison d'etre of bringing network-centricity and networked-sharing capabilities to the dismounted combat soldier
• Expert Insights on enhancing situational awareness (SA) and effectiveness
• Case Studies in Soldier Modernisation Programmes (SMPs) from around the world and discussions on operational trial results
• Enhancing Night Vision capability and the use advanced electro-optics
• Integrating secure communications (radio, live video-link), GPS, radio frequency identification (RFID), and, soldier-mounted sensors into the head-borne device
• Power Sources solutions, reducing load carriage, and smart uniforms
• Developments in light firearms for the future soldier
• Robotics, exoskeletons and the dismounted soldier
• Physiological monitoring
• Nanotechnology and composite materials