SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs and Chairman of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, the largest-ever editions of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX), the Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX), and the accompanying International Defence Conference (IDC) will take place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from January 20-22.
UMEX and SimTEX 2026 - the first exhibitions of their kind in the Middle East - will spotlight innovations for both defence and commercial applications, with a particular emphasis on AI, autonomy, simulation, and robotics across land, air, and maritime domains.
Organised by ADNEC Group, in association with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement and in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Mobility, the seventh edition will see unprecedented growth in both participation and scope, bringing together distinguished local and global experts and leading national and international companies to exhibit their innovations. EGDE Group will serve as a strategic partner.
Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Marshoudi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of UMEX and SimTEX, stated: "UMEX and SimTEX 2026 stand as the region's most prominent events of their kind for unmanned systems and simulation and training technologies. These exhibitions play a pivotal role in solidifying the UAE's global leadership by leveraging cutting-edge innovations that drive economic growth, stability, and both national and regional security."
He added: "The UAE's unmanned systems, simulation and training, and AI sectors are experiencing remarkable growth and attracting unprecedented investments. This growth momentum positions UMEX and SimTEX as the ideal platforms for specialised companies in these sectors to showcase their innovative solutions, designed to meet the evolving demands of simulation and training both locally and globally."
Al Marshoudi further emphasised that UMEX and SimTEX are fully aligned with the strategic vision of the UAE's leadership to consolidate their position as strategic global industry platforms, attracting leading international, regional, and local companies specialising in unmanned systems, simulation and training, AI, robotics, and multi-use systems across civil, commercial, and defence sectors.
Hamad Adel Al-Afeefi, Executive Director of the Intelligent Transport Systems Sector at the Integrated Transport Centre, said: “The efforts of the Integrated Transport Centre in regulating the unmanned systems and smart mobility sector embody Abu Dhabi’s approach towards achieving organised and sustainable development in this field, through the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks that keep pace with innovation and ensure the highest safety standards.”
Al-Afeefi explained that the Centre has turned regulatory frameworks into real-world trials to ensure Abu Dhabi’s readiness to adopt and scale these technologies.
“In recent times, the Centre has worked to translate these frameworks into practical applications through organised operational programmes and trials in the land, maritime, and air sectors, reflecting the readiness of the regulatory system and its ability to keep up with the requirements of advanced technologies.”
These efforts, he added, align with Abu Dhabi’s vision to consolidate its position as a leading regional centre for the adoption of smart mobility solutions and autonomous systems through a secure, innovation-friendly regulatory environment.
Record-breaking Scale and Global Participation
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said: "UMEX and SimTEX 2026 are the only events of their kind in the Middle East, attracting a host of prominent local and international companies specialising in unmanned systems for commercial and defence applications across land, air, and maritime sectors. These events align with ADNEC Group's strategy to position Abu Dhabi as the regional capital of innovation and development of these strategic sectors, in accordance with the aspirations and directives of the UAE's visionary leadership."
Al Dhaheri emphasised that this year's edition is exceptional by all measures, achieving record growth rates across all performance indicators and marking the largest iteration in the exhibitions' history since their inception in 2015.
He revealed that the total exhibition area expanded by 34% to reach 40,322 square meters compared to the previous edition in 2024, while the number of participating companies and brands surged to 375, a remarkable 74% increase from the previous edition.
The number of participating countries also saw a 9% increase, reaching 38, including 10 countries participating for the first time.
Al Dhaheri pointed out that the UAE pavilion stands as the largest in terms of space, followed by China and the US, adding that national companies represent 45% of all exhibitors, while international companies comprise 55%.
He stressed that the latest edition stands out for its strong emphasis on the commercial applications of unmanned systems, alongside the introduction of seven new accompanying events, including the Autonomous Drone Challenge and live demonstrations by start-ups and small enterprises.
Spotlight on Innovation
UMEX and SimTEX 2026, supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, will introduce "The Future of Autonomy x ITC," a series of expert discussions to examine the commercial applications of unmanned systems, alongside a dedicated showcase highlighting their rapid expansion across logistics, energy, utilities, smart cities, and public safety sectors.
The programme features a comprehensive agenda of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and technical presentations, highlighting the transformative impact of unmanned systems across urban management sectors, including transportation, logistics, utilities, inspection, and waste management.
Additionally, it will examine how AI-powered analytics are revolutionising inspection, maintenance, safety, and environmental monitoring.
The sessions will also spotlight the next-generation technologies shaping the future of urban air mobility, including electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) and advanced drone systems. It will examine the policies, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks necessary to scale these innovations and ensure their safe integration into existing urban transportation systems.
Defence 4.0, taking place on January 22, will bring together military leaders, defence industry innovators, and strategic planners to discuss the technologies reshaping modern combat. Panels will focus on the integration of Defence 4.0 into multi-domain operations and the application of AI-powered drones for enhanced operational effectiveness.
Later sessions will explore the role of autonomous systems in space, and the technologies needed to ensure defence readiness in this emerging domain.
The 2026 edition will also introduce the inaugural A2RL Drone Challenge, organised by ASPIRE, part of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).
The challenge, taking place from January 21-22 in Hall 10 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, marks the first drone racing competition at UMEX and a significant milestone in the region's innovation journey.
The challenge will feature an exciting line-up of events, including high-speed time trials, exhilarating drone races, and intense head-to-head competitions between professional pilots and advanced AI systems.
UMEX and SimTEX 2026 will also host live demonstrations at Tilal Swaihan, featuring 22 leading international organisations, to showcase the latest advancements in unmanned systems, AI, and robotics across a diverse range of operational environments.
Start-ups from around the world will have the opportunity to participate in a dedicated platform designed for networking, building partnerships, accessing investment opportunities, and competing to showcase their pioneering innovations in the unmanned systems domain.