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) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) are taking place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 20 to 22 January 2026, with the accompanying International Defence Conference (IDC) held a day prior.
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.
Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Marshoudi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, stated: “UMEX and SimTEX 2026 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.”
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC Group, 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.
He 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.
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 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.
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 21 to 22 January 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.
UMEX and SimTEX 2026 will also host live demonstrations at Tilal Swaihan, featuring 22 leading international organisations, to showcase the latest 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 innovations in unmanned systems.
