The largest editions of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) will take place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi next week.

The events, held 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, will take place from January 20 to 22, with accompanying International Defence Conference (IDC) held a day prior.

The total exhibition area has expanded 34% to reach 40,322 sq m compared to the previous edition in 2024, while the number of participating companies and brands has 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.

Organised by ADNEC Group, a Modon company, 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 and in collaboration with the Integrated Transport Centre, UMEX and SimTEX 2026 are the first exhibitions of their kind in the Middle East, dedicated to unmanned systems, robotics, simulation, and training technologies.

The seventh edition will see unprecedented growth in both participation and scope, with a particular focus on the applications of these technologies across the commercial, civil, and defence sectors.

The 2026 edition brings together distinguished local and global experts, as well as leading national and international companies, demonstrating the UAE’s advanced capabilities in unmanned systems, AI, simulation, and training. The event will also highlight the growing civil and commercial applications of these technologies, as well as the dynamic growth of national industries in this strategic sector.

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 to showcase the latest technologies and innovations in these critical domains.

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.”

He added: “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 are in line with Abu Dhabi’s vision to consolidate its position as a leading regional centre for the adoption of smart mobility solutions and autonomous systems, within a clear and secure regulatory framework that supports innovation and investment.”

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.

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%, underscoring the significant role of these events in supporting national industry development, enhancing its global competitiveness, facilitating access to international markets, fostering strategic partnerships, and localising knowledge.

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.

UMEX and SimTEX 2026 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, a flagship event taking place on January 22 at UMEX and SimTEX bringing together global defence leaders, military delegations, and pioneering technology visionaries, will host live discussions under the theme “Transforming Tomorrow’s Battlespace.” Tailored for military leaders, industry innovators, and strategic planners, the event offers actionable insights into the technologies driving capability development and the next wave of defence modernisation.

Defence 4.0 will feature in-depth panel discussions with key local and international thought leaders to discuss the next industrial revolution in defence, the integration of Defence 4.0 technologies into multi-domain operations, and the deployment of AI-powered drones to boost operational effectiveness.

The afternoon sessions will spotlight space as the next frontier, delving into the integration of autonomous systems into space operations and the critical role of Defence 4.0 technologies in enhancing defence readiness.

The 2026 edition will also introduce the inaugural A2RL Drone Challenge, organised by ASPIRE, part of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). - TradeArabia News Service