On 22 January 2026, the seventh and largest edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and the Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) 2026 concluded at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, following three days of intensive engagement that reinforced their status as the world’s leading specialised platforms for autonomous systems, simulation and training.
Organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, and held in strategic partnership with EDGE Group and Abu Dhabi Mobility, UMEX and SimTEX 2026 welcomed more than 37,878 visitors over three days, marking a new milestone in the event’s history and underscoring its growing global influence in the autonomous systems sector.
The latest edition recorded unparalleled exhibitor participation, with 390 exhibitors and brands taking part—an 82% increase compared to 2024—and representation from 40 countries, reflecting a 14% growth over the previous edition. This strong international turnout further consolidated UMEX and SimTEX’s position as the largest global event dedicated to autonomous and unmanned systems.
The two exhibitions continued to serve as leading platforms for the growth and advancement of unmanned and autonomous technologies within the defence sector. During the event, the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement announced defence contracts valued at AED 3.6 billion, representing a 20% increase compared to the 2024 edition.
The event was inaugurated by 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. UMEX and SimTEX 2026 also witnessed the signing of several strategic agreements, reflecting a strong commitment to developing defence capabilities, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, and expanding cooperation with national and international companies in the fields of unmanned systems, simulation and training.
High-Level Leadership Visits Underscore Strategic Importance
High-level attendance was one of the defining features of the seventh edition, underlining the growing strategic weight of the two exhibitions.
In a significant highlight, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, visited the exhibitions, reaffirming their national and global significance. During his tour, His Highness visited several national and international pavilions and reviewed cutting-edge technologies and innovations across training and simulation, unmanned systems, robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligent control systems, artificial intelligence and other future-focused technologies.
His Highness engaged with exhibitors and participants to discuss the civil, commercial and defence applications of the showcased solutions, emphasising the importance of UMEX and SimTEX as global platforms for dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration in sectors that support inclusive development. The visit reaffirmed the UAE’s position as a global hub for future technologies and innovation.
The exhibitions also welcomed His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, who reviewed the latest technological innovations on display and highlighted the role of UMEX and SimTEX in supporting technological transformation across civil, commercial and defence sectors, as well as strengthening the future readiness of the UAE’s economic ecosystem.
In the same context, Lieutenant General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, visited UMEX and SimTEX 2026, where he explored advanced solutions in unmanned systems, artificial intelligence and simulation-based training, and their role in developing smart cities, enhancing public safety and improving operational readiness.
UAE Reinforces Position as Global Hub for Future Technologies
Brigadier Mohammed Obaid Al Marashdi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of UMEX and SimTEX, said that this edition marked a pivotal milestone for the international event, reflecting a high level of organisation and strong collaboration between national talents and strategic partners.
“This edition demonstrated the UAE’s position as a global destination for companies focused on future technologies,” he said, adding that UMEX and SimTEX have become influential regional and international platforms supporting the UAE’s policies to enhance competitiveness and build a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. He noted that the autonomous systems, simulation and training sectors are witnessing accelerated growth, driven by increased investment in high-impact technologies, making the exhibitions an ideal meeting point for showcasing products and building strategic partnerships.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, part of Modon Holding, affirmed that UMEX and SimTEX 2026 exceeded expectations in terms of scale, ambition and international reach.
“We witnessed unprecedented participation from leading global companies, alongside strong engagement from decision-makers, experts and specialists,” Al Dhaheri said. “This reflects the growing confidence in UMEX and SimTEX as global platforms for knowledge exchange, partnership-building and shaping the future of defence and advanced technology industries.”
He added that the success of the exhibitions would not have been possible without the vision and guidance of the UAE’s wise leadership, reiterating ADNEC Group’s commitment to further developing and expanding these international platforms in line with the UAE’s vision for a diversified, innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy.
Global Participation and Expanded Programme
UMEX and SimTEX 2026 featured a balanced mix of participation, with national companies accounting for 45% of exhibitors and international companies 55%, offering global platforms for product launches, international exposure, high-quality buyer engagement and business growth.
Moreover, the exhibitions introduced an enhanced commercial zone dedicated to autonomous technologies serving civil sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transport, logistics and manufacturing. Knowledge exchange was further strengthened through the participation of global experts, senior officials, industry leaders and innovators shaping the future of unmanned systems, defence strategies and cross-border innovation.
More than 750 participants attended the International Defence Conference, while the exhibitions hosted multiple stages featuring panel discussions, keynote addresses, presentations and expert dialogues. Abu Dhabi Mobility, the strategic mobility organising partner, presented insights into the future of autonomous driving, alongside expert perspectives on developing autonomous mobility frameworks for cities, economies and societies.
Independent surveys conducted by Explori/GRS revealed strong performance indicators, with the exhibitor Net Promoter Score reaching +50 compared to a global average of +10—placing the event within the top 5% worldwide—while the visitor Net Promoter Score rose to +72, compared to a global benchmark of +31.
Specialised programmes included the “Defence 4.0” initiative, designed for military leaders, industry executives and strategic planners, which offered practical insights into technologies accelerating capability development and shaping the next phase of defence modernisation. The UMEX Elevate Investors Summit also connected unmanned systems start-ups with global investors, providing guidance on scaling small and medium-sized enterprises and highlighting Abu Dhabi’s strategic role as a global hub for autonomous and unmanned systems.
Live Demonstrations of Unmanned Systems
The two exhibitions also featured live demonstrations of unmanned systems in operation, with field displays held at the Sweihan Hills on the second day of the event. Local and international companies showcased military and commercial technologies before an audience of defence leaders, senior officers and technical experts from across the Middle East and beyond, offering a realistic insight into next-generation operational capabilities.
Zayed bin Mohamed Attends Aerial Demonstrations
In this context, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended a series of live aerial and unmanned systems demonstrations at the Sweihan Hills, held as part of the seventh edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and the Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) 2026.
His Highness observed displays from the “Sweihan Hills Championship”, which featured defensive and tactical exercises involving unmanned aerial vehicles and autonomous systems operating in a realistic simulated environment. The demonstrations highlighted efforts to enhance air defence capabilities, ensure adaptability to future challenges, and strengthen integration between advanced technologies and highly skilled human expertise across defence, security and civil sectors.
During his visit, His Highness toured several company pavilions participating in the live aerial demonstrations, which presented the latest innovations in unmanned aerial systems and AI-enabled tactical technologies designed to enhance the operational efficiency of autonomous platforms across land, sea and air domains.
First-Ever Autonomous Drone Racing Championship
For the first time at UMEX and SimTEX, the exhibitions hosted an autonomous drone racing championship as part of the Autonomous Racing League. The competition brought together leading global artificial intelligence teams and world-class first-person-view (FPV) pilots, who competed across three races.
Over two days of competition, visitors witnessed cutting-edge innovations in fully autonomous aerial technologies, offering a glimpse into the future of high-speed, AI-driven flight systems.
The successful delivery of this edition was made possible through the support of strategic partners and sponsors, including the Ministry of Defence, the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, EDGE Group, Abu Dhabi Mobility, the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, the Advanced Technology Research Council, ASPIRE, the Technology Innovation Institute, VentureOne, and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
The success of UMEX and SimTEX 2026 highlighted Abu Dhabi’s pivotal role in advancing global dialogue on unmanned systems, simulation and advanced defence technologies. By bringing together industry leaders, innovators, investors and policymakers from around the world, the exhibitions further cemented their reputation as leading platforms for collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange.
As preparations look ahead to the next edition in 2028, UMEX and SimTEX remain at the forefront of shaping the future of unmanned systems across both defence and civil sectors, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to technological advancement and international partnership.
Ministry of Defence Coding Challenge
As part of a broader strategy to invest in national talent, the Ministry of Defence Coding Challenge concluded successfully during UMEX and SimTEX 2026. The challenge was 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.
The initiative attracted strong participation from Emirati nationals, who competed in a series of advanced challenges spanning programming, cybersecurity and unmanned systems. Organised in collaboration between ADNEC Group, the Ministry of Defence and EDGE Group, the challenge aimed to strengthen national security by developing the capabilities of a new generation of skilled national talent, while identifying emerging innovators capable of contributing to the UAE’s defence innovation ecosystem.
The Ministry of Defence Coding Challenge ran hourly throughout the three days of UMEX and SimTEX, with participants competing in multiple skill-based challenges designed to rigorously test their technical expertise.
Cybersecurity Challenge
In parallel, the Cybersecurity Challenge enabled participants to assess their abilities through realistic scenarios simulating real-world cyberattacks, reinforcing the importance of preparedness and advanced technical skills in addressing evolving digital threats.
Drone Challenge
The Drone Challenge, held as part of UMEX 2026, featured multiple levels designed to evaluate participant performance through a series of advanced missions. Competitors were tasked with programming drones to execute precision-based operations, with a strong emphasis on efficiency, innovation and performance quality.
The event offered participants a unique opportunity to engage directly with the latest drone technologies and connect with leading industry experts, with 14 teams taking part in the competition.
Unmanned Aircraft Programming Competition
The Unmanned Aircraft Programming Competition at UMEX 2026 also included multiple levels aimed at assessing participant capabilities through complex, task-driven missions. Participants programmed unmanned aircraft to complete operations focused on accuracy, efficiency and creativity.
For many exhibitors, the scale of participation confirmed UMEX and SimTEX’s transition from regional showcases into genuinely global platforms.
Across all competitions, participants utilised state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technical infrastructure, creating a professional, highly competitive environment that reflected the scale of the event and the ambition of its participants.
Infographic
Visitors: + 37,878 over three days
Contract Value: AED 3.6 billion, a 20% increase compared to 2024
Participating Countries: 40
Exhibitors and Brands: 390, an 82% increase compared to 2024
Coverage: Razi Izzeddin Elhadmi – Photography: Omar Abdulla Alshehhi
