The largest editions of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) will take place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from January 20 to 22, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The International Defence Conference (IDC) will precede the exhibitions on January 19.
This year’s editions mark record growth. The total exhibition area has expanded by 34 percent to 40,322 square metres, while the number of participating companies and brands has surged to 375, a 74 percent increase over 2024. Participation now spans 38 countries, with 10 nations joining for the first time.
Organised by ADNEC Group in association with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, and supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council with EDGE Group as strategic partner, UMEX and SimTEX remain the Middle East’s only dedicated platforms for unmanned systems, robotics, simulation, and training technologies.
The seventh edition places a strong emphasis on commercial and civil applications alongside defence, reflecting the rapid expansion of unmanned and autonomous technologies across logistics, energy, utilities, smart cities, and public safety.
Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Marshoudi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said UMEX and SimTEX play a pivotal role in reinforcing the UAE’s global leadership in these sectors, driving economic growth, stability, and security. He highlighted the unprecedented investment flowing into unmanned systems, simulation, and AI, positioning the events as ideal platforms for specialised companies to showcase innovation.
Hamad Adel Al-Afeefi of the Integrated Transport Centre said Abu Dhabi’s regulatory frameworks and operational trials across land, sea, and air demonstrate readiness to scale smart mobility and autonomous systems within a secure and innovation-friendly environment.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC Group, described the 2026 edition as the largest in the exhibitions’ history since their inception in 2015. The UAE pavilion will be the largest, followed by China and the United States. National companies account for 45 percent of exhibitors, underscoring the role of the events in strengthening local industry and global competitiveness.
New features this year include seven accompanying events, the Autonomous Drone Challenge, live start-up demonstrations, and “The Future of Autonomy x ITC,” a series exploring commercial deployment of unmanned systems. The programme spans keynotes, panels, and technical sessions on urban mobility, logistics, inspection, waste management, and AI-powered analytics.
The agenda also examines urban air mobility, including eVTOLs, and the policies and infrastructure required for safe integration. Defence 4.0, taking place on January 22, will gather global defence leaders under the theme “Transforming Tomorrow’s Battlespace,” focusing on AI-powered drones, multi-domain operations, and the next wave of defence modernisation.
