A geography in which conflicts never cease, the Middle East comes to the front with ever-expanding defence expenditures and volatile balance of power. IDEX 2017, being the biggest defence fair organised in this region, was significant for demonstrating not only potential market opportunities but also the broadened scope of demands by regional countries. With the decline in oil revenues, these actors have diverted their relatively limited resources to emergency requirements and rapid-solution based procurement projects. The situation, which resembles the 1970s and 1980s during which Turkish defence industry went through the same path, offers major opportunities for global suppliers in terms of supply and cooperation.