Last week, one of the world’s biggest military and security trade fairs, International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), was held in Abu Dhabi. This biannual trade fair attracts hundreds of exhibitors, including some of the largest manufacturers of military and defence weapons and equipment, such as BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, and Lockheed Martin. Although the primary focus of IDEX is conventional military and defence equipment, the event is also attended by manufacturers and suppliers of law enforcement weapons and equipment.
Omega monitors the companies that advertise at fairs such as IDEX, reviewing the types of weapons they are promoting and highlighting any weapons that contravene any international or regional regulations. Last week, Omega uncovered that several companies at IDEX were promoting equipment that we consider to be torture equipment and that the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other ill-treatment has previously determined to be items whose manufacture, promotion, sale, and use should be prohibited. Some of these items were physically displayed on the stalls of the exhibitors, while others were promoted on the event’s official website.
Below is a summary of the equipment we found.
Weighted Leg Restraints
Weighted leg restraints are usually composed of two metal cuffs, typically larger than those used in standard handcuffs, connected by a heavy chain. Because weighted leg cuffs are heavier than necessary for restraint, they significantly restrict movement and increase the risk of ankle injuries and other harms. Prolonged use can lead to lacerations, blood poisoning, and other long-term injuries. Wearing weighted leg cuffs is inherently degrading, and their use constitutes a prima facie violation of the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment.
During our research on the IDEX trade fair, Omega discovered weighted leg restraints being promoted in a brochure published by the Chinese company Ningbo Chowey Police Equipment Co. Ltd. A digital version of the brochure remains freely available to download from the company’s profile on IDEX’s official website.
Kinetic Impact Ammunition Containing Multiple Projectiles
Ammunition containing multiple non-metallic projectiles poses significant risks due to its inaccurate and indiscriminate nature. When fired, the projectiles spread out, making it difficult to control their trajectory and impact. This can lead to unintended injuries for both targeted individuals and bystanders, and if these projectiles strike vulnerable parts of the body—such as the head—they can cause severe harm. In recent years, the use of this type of ammunition has been associated with very high rates of eye injuries resulting from small pellets. Given its indiscriminate nature, this ammunition is unsuitable for law enforcement.
During our research on IDEX, Omega found that several companies who were promoting ammunition containing multiple kinetic impact projectiles, including South Korean companies Korea CNO Tech Ltd and C-Rich Co. Ltd and Indian company Narendra Explosives Limited, all of whom featured multiple projectile ammunition in downloadable brochures on their IDEX website profiles. Kazakh company AlmaDK also promoted a “rubber bursting” grenade and multiple-projectile shotgun ammunition in its brochure on the IDEX website, while the Turkish company Turac dis Ticaret appeared to be displaying a poster promoting ammunition containing multiple projectiles on its stall during the event.
Multi-Barrel Less-Lethal Launchers
Multi-barrel launchers are designed to fire multiple kinetic impact munitions or chemical irritant projectiles simultaneously. This feature makes them inherently inaccurate, preventing precise targeting and raising the likelihood of indiscriminate use. Furthermore, the ability to release a large volume of chemical irritant into a concentrated area poses a heightened risk of serious injury or death. Given these dangers, Omega believes that such weapons should not be manufactured, traded, or used by law enforcement.
During our research, Omega found that the South Korean companies, Korea CNO Tech Co. Ltd and C-Rich Co. Ltd both promoted multi-barrel launchers in downloadable brochures on their IDEX website profiles. Furthermore, the state-owned Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) displayed a 40mm launcher reportedly capable of firing up to 15 projectiles simultaneously on its stand during the event.
The manufacture, promotion, sale, and use of all types of inherently abusive equipment should be strictly prohibited. Omega will continue to monitor the trade in military, security, and policing equipment to expose the promotion and sale of such equipment and campaign for their prohibition.
If you would like to support Omega’s mission, please consider donating via our website. You can also explore more of our research and data on defence and security fairs like IDEX here.